The Neutralizing Mechanism of Liberalism

This chapter outlines what I call the ‘The Neutralizing Mechanism of Liberalism’, which is based on the following core tenets: State neutrality, individual freedom, nondiscrimination, free markets, free speech, free trade, economic and democratic peace theories—and what I call ‘infrastructural peace theory’. Taken together, these tenets produce an interlocking mechanism intended to neutralize conflicts between individuals and states in order to guarantee national and international security (Sect. 6.1). This interpretation is developed from the traditional liberal canon, including authors such as Grotius, Milton, Mandeville, Montesquieu, Hume, Smith, Kant, Jefferson, Mill, Hayek, Friedman, and Rawls. Section 6.2 discusses state neutrality, individual freedom, and non-discrimination. Section 6.3 addresses free markets, free speech, and free trade. Section 6.4 addresses economic, democratic, and infrastructural peace theories.