Authors: Leif Wenar and Branko Milanovic
Publication: The Journal of Political Philosophy. vol. 17, no 4. pp. 462-486
Date: December 2009
Abstract:
Are liberal societies peaceful? Many liberals believe so, and John Rawlsargues their case. Rawls holds that truly liberal societies are satisfied: they will not go to war for the sake of power, territory, riches, glory, or to spread their religion. “Their basic needs are met, and their fundamental interests are fully compatible with those of other democratic peoples…There is true peace among them because all societies are satisfied with the status quo for the right reasons” (LoP, p. 46). Rawls also offers a striking explanation for this thesis of liberal satisfaction: it is the internal political structures of liberal societies that make them externally non-aggressive.