ABSTRACT
The essence of liberalism is self-restraint, moderation, compromise, and peace. The state must be kept within its sphere; government can use its powers only in the ways set by law; groups and individuals must avoid trespassing and curtailing each other's freedom. If the logic of liberalism is that of the average or the weak individual against the mighty, that of international affairs remains the logic of might and the story of the rise, fall, and succession of the powerful. In international affairs, we actually start with freedom, with the age-old game of independent players, who spend their energy and resources on preserving their independence. An internationalism that does not appeal to American salvatory hubris will always be less glamorous than the archetypes of the sheriff of High Noon or the Samaritan-missionary, and less electrifying than the nationalistic simplicities of social Darwinism. But in international affairs, missionary angels turn into beasts, and social Darwinists into bullies.
