Realism said, “goodbye!” to liberalism: The case of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Abstract

This study dwells on the challenge between realism and liberalism in the international relations (IR) field. Realism and liberalism have been in the fight since World War II (WWII) in IR studies. Realist scholars promote the idea that there is anarchy in the world order, whereas liberals support a hierarchic preset in international relations. Yet, since WWII, the world has witnessed several incidents that ashamed the liberal IR mindset. Conquests/invasions, annexations, and unilateral actions by powerful states pose that international law and mechanisms do not work for them when they would like to breach the liberal world order. There is still no World War III (WWIII) as liberal thought has found its supporting point for their own ideas; nevertheless, the holes created in the international law and organizations by the powerful states are essential evidence for the realist school. As in the latest case of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, no such international law rule has been followed by the occupier. This was, to say that the farewell ceremony of liberalism by realism.