An Idealist Approach sees the world with a more perfect or ideal version of realistic view guided by morality rather than self-power or self-interest. An idealist believes in the notion of peace, humanity, justice and moral conduct. In this article, you will learn about:

❓What does idealist approach in international relations mean!

❓What are different types of Idealism relevant to UPSC Mains!

❓Woodrow Wilson and the fourteen points.

❓Some of the most notable Idealists and their theories.

❓Constructive critics of Idealist theory.

❓Idealism Vs Realism: Key Differences

What is Idealist Approach? A Gist

Idealism is a school of thought in International Relations that stands on morality, ethics, democracy, international institutions and the idea of mutual peace. In the Idealist approach human nature is considered good and morally rational. Idealism envisions the formation of a League of Nations as an approach to avoid war and promote international peace. Some of the most prominent thinkers of the Idealistic approach are Woodrow Wilson, Mahatma Gandhi, Immanuel Kant, and others.

Here are some important points to remember that cover general key aspects of the Idealist approach according to the PSIR optional (Political Science and International Relation) syllabus in UPSC CSE.

⭐Idealism is guided by moral ethics rather than self-interest or power.

⭐Idealism believes in creating a more peaceful and just world promoting justice and fairness between states.

⭐Idealism emerged after World War I reflecting through the works of President Woodrow Wilson of America. He believed that diplomacy should be served to resolve conflicts rather than the possibility of war.

⭐Woodrow Wilson shared his idealistic vision through his speech in 1918 which included 14 points articulating his idealistic theory.

⭐The interwar period is marked from 1919 to 1939 which indicates the rise of fascists and authoritarian regimes as a result of the 1930 economic crisis and rise of Hitler in Germany.

⭐Some of the main supporters of idealism throughout the century are Woodrow Wilson, Richard Cobden, Bertrand Russell, Norman Angel, Mahatma Gandhi, and Aldous Huxley.

⭐Idealists have a belief of thought that countries should have more consideration rather than just national interest calculations.

⭐Idealist theory rested on several assumptions such as “human nature is fundamentally good and rational”, “International cooperation is desirable”, “war can be prevented”, “democracy and human ethics promote peace”, and “codependence encourages cooperation”.

⭐E. H. Carr, a utopian idealist, has highlighted in his work named “The Twenty Year’s Crisis (1939)” that “Idealism is more about what the world should be rather than what the world really is”.

⭐Reinhold Niebuhr has thrown some light on the optimism of idealist and rationality of realist as they can be combined to safeguard national interest of survival and power. He has mentioned it as a more evolving comprehensive approach in his work “Children of Light and Children of Darkness (1944)”.

⭐In “Theory of Forms” Plato has projected his idealist theory that the highest form of reality does not exist in the physical world of tangible objects but in the realm of ideas and forms. Plato is considered as the father of Idealism and believed in a dualistic view of reality. 

⭐George Kateb defines utopianism as a tradition of thought depicting a perfect society where perfection is defined as harmony.

Types of Idealism (As Per UPSC Mains PSIR Syllabus)

Here, we have mentioned the different types of Idealism throughout the century in International Relations and what they believed. This list is based on the latest UPSC Mains PSIR and GS-II syllabus.

Classical Idealism/Utopian Idealism

Classical or Utopian idealism originated as the aftermath of world war I. One of the most prominent key thinkers, Woodrow Wilson, shared through his works that Idealistic approach is the need of the hour. 

Prominent Ideas:

• International law is essential for peace within nations.
• War can be avoided with diplomacy and moral ethics.
• Foreign policy should include moral and ethical values.
• Collective security is the key for maintaining peace.

Liberal Idealism

Liberal Idealism believes in liberal democratic states and free trade within the nations. It believes that economic codependency is essential and encourages peace between the nations. International organizations should be responsible for resolving conflicts.

Prominent Ideas:

• Liberal Democracy
• Economic Codependence
• Human Rights
• International Peace

Non-Liberal (Idealist in Spirit)

Neo-liberals argue that international organizations are anarchic but believe that cooperation is mutually possible with necessary regimes within nations. Some of the main supporters of non-liberal idealism are Joseph Nye and Robert Keohane.

Prominent Ideas:

• Economic Liberalisation
• Institutional Frameworks
• Free Market Competition

Kantian Idealism

Kantian Idealism emerged from the transcendental idealist theory of Immanuel Kant who believed that peace can be achieved through liberalistic views, sharing cosmopolitan and democratic values. 

Prominent Ideas:

• Republic State
• Federalism and International Law
• Cosmopolitan Believes

Constructivist Idealism

It believes that international politics is not just a material power but is mutually shaped by constructive ideas and social interactions. Alexander Wendt suggested that a state’s behaviour majorly depends on where their interest lies in a social reality.

Prominent Ideas:

• Identity and beliefs influence state’s behaviour
• International politics can be changed through ideas
• Norms can influence cooperation within nations

Also read – Father of Idealism

Woodrow Wilson & The Fourteen Points [The Rise of Idealism]

Woodrow Wilson was the 28th president of the United States and was one of the earliest thinkers of Idealistic Approach. The fourteen points were covered in a speech given in the Idealist Approach by Woodrow Wilson which showed a new world order of Idealistic state promoting peace and harmony. He envisioned a just state based on moral ethics, collective security and democratic values.

The Fourteen Points were: 

1. Open diplomatic relations with no secret treaties 
2. Freedom to navigate on seas through peace and war by international agreement
3. Free trade and equal trade conditions applicable for all nations
4. National armaments should be lowest only limiting to domestic safety
5. Adjusting colonial claims at their interest
6. Evacuation of foreign nationals from Russia for independent development
7. Belgium should be evacuated and restored as a sovereign state
8. Freedom of all French territory. Alsace-Lorraine to be returned to France.
9. The borders of Italy should be readjusted clearly
10. Austria-Hungry should be given chance for autonomous development
11. All Balkan states should be given independence with secure borders
12. Non-Turkish nationals of the Ottoman Empire should be assured a secured sovereignty.
13. An independent Polish state with free access to sea borders
14. The formation of League of Nations to guarantee territorial integrity and political independence

UPSC Mains PYQs on Idealistic Approach

Q: “Explain the various facets of the idealist approach to the study of international relations. Comment on its contemporary relevance.” (10 marks) [2024 - GS Paper-II]

Q: “What are the core assumptions of idealism as an approach to the study of International Relations? Explain its continuing relevance in peace building.” (10 marks) [PSIR - Paper-II]

Q: “’India’s image as a leader of the oppressed and marginalised nations has disappeared…’ Elaborate.” (focus on NAM as idealist diplomacy) [2019 - GS Paper-II]

Q: “What are the major critiques of liberal internationalism?” (addresses post-idealism critiques) [2014 - GS Paper-II]

Supporters of Idealist Approach 

Some of the most prominent key supporters of the Idealism school of thought and their visions through Idealistic Approach in International Relations are:

Woodrow Wilson

Woodrow Wilson was the 28th president of the United States.

• Envisioned global peace as an aftermath of World War I
• Proposed fourteen points for international order and peace
• Suggested creation of League of Nations to prevent future wars

Immanuel Kant

Immanuel Kant was a German philosopher and one of the earliest thinkers of the 18th century.

• Promoted idea of republic and democratic peace
• Federal State governed by International laws
• Theoretical foundation of democratic peace theory

Norman Angell

Norman Angell was a British journalist and author. He won the English Nobel Peace Prize in 1933.

• Modern economic interdependence between nations
• Cost of war outweighs any possible profit
• Benefits of peaceful and mutual cooperation

Bertrand Russell

Bertrand Russell was a British philosopher, a Mathematician, a logician, and a public intellectual.

• International Peace and Nuclear Disarmament
• Ethical Governance and National Cooperation
• Ethical values attached to use of force

Alfred Zimmermann

He was a German foreign secretary known as the author of a sensational proposal to Mexico for alliance against the United States.

• Role of International organisations for peaceful relationship between States
• International law and collective security
• Importance of multilateral institutions

Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi was one of the most prominent leader of India's freedom struggle.

• Satyagrah and Ahimsa to resolve conflicts
• Promoting moral and ethical values
• Power of peaceful protest and nonviolent actions

Important Books on Idealism (UPSC PSIR Optional & GS Paper II)

Here is a list of most important Idealism books that are relevant to the latest UPSC Mains syllabus and highly preferred by UPSC aspirants.

Important Critics of Idealism

Some of the most important and valuable criticism of Idealism in International Relations are:

1. H. Carr - He saw Idealists as Utopians Who could not understand the notion of power politics. He argued that Idealism lacked historical and practical aspects. 

Hans J Morgenthau - Politics is governed by human made laws which can be power seeking. Idealism over-rely on morality and ethics. He supported classical realism.

Kenneth Waltz - He is considered the father of structural realism. Criticized idealism as it failed to acknowledge the International system.

Reinhold Niebuhr - He is good that humans may be moral but Nations often act immorally in the nature of self defence and collective security. 

Martin Wight - Critiqued idealism as it ignored historical war and conflict. He rejected the idea of international organisations to bring world peace. 

Idealism Vs Realism: Key Differences

Aspirants can refer to the following table to get a clearer picture of the main differences between Idealistic Approach and Realistic Approach.

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