From Imperialism to Liberalism. Reinventing Trade, Institutions, and Unity in Post-World War I Europe.

Liberalism emerged theoretically strengthened in the World War I’s aftermath. The start of a new liberal order in 1918-9 did not mean that it would last forever or that it had no opponents. Imperial autocracy was replaced by collectivism: both from the left (Communism) and the right (Nazism and Fascism). The Wilsonian world system, based on trade and institutions, was later put under attack by totalitarianism that weakened liberalism. Liberalism as a foreign policy and its core elements were reinvigorated thanks to the conflict – at least in Western Europe. Firstly, the fact that trade leads to peace, as explained by Norman Angell. Secondly, that institutionalism, democracy, and self-determination strengthened states, easing cooperation among them, as advocated by Woodrow Wilson. Lastly, the fact that peaceful European unity to fight the external challengers and get independence will benefit, according to Richard Coubenhove-Kalergi, the European people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

O liberalismo emergiu fortalecido teoricamente no rescaldo da Primeira Guerra Mundial. O início de uma nova ordem liberal em 1918-9 não significava que duraria para sempre ou que não teria oponentes. A autocracia imperial foi substituída pelo coletivismo: tanto da esquerda (comunismo) quanto da direita (nazismo e fascismo). O sistema mundial wilsoniano, baseado no comércio e nas instituições, foi posteriormente atacado pelo totalitarismo que enfraqueceu o liberalismo. O liberalismo como política externa e seus elementos centrais foram revigorados graças ao conflito – pelo menos na Europa Ocidental. Em primeiro lugar, o fato de que o comércio leva à paz, como explica Norman Angell. Em segundo lugar, que o institucionalismo, a democracia e a autodeterminação fortaleceram os Estados, facilitando a cooperação entre eles, conforme defendido por Woodrow Wilson. Por fim, o fato de que a unidade européia pacífica para lutar contra os adversários externos e obter a independência será beneficiado, de acordo com Richard Coubenhove-Kalergi, o povo europeu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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