The idealist school of thought includes the pacifists, world federalists, humanitarians, legalist and moralist. This school comprise of the great names such as Henri De Saint, Simon, Gandhi, W.Wilson, Bertrand Russel, Kant, Richard Gob den and Nehru. For idealists politics is "the art of Government" rather than "the art of possible". Idealist disagree with the fatalistic orientation of the realists, who assume that "power politics" is a natural phenomenon idealist believe that human have the capacity to learn and to change and control their behavior. For idealists politics should involve the abandonment of force and encouragement of learning and coexistence of societies under the leadership of enlightened rules.

The various proponents of the idealist school are divided with respect to how best to meet internal violence and external aggression by states; the pacifists feel that fighting violence with violence is merely falling in to the Machiavellian realist trap. Idealist emphasizes international law, morality and international organization rather than power alone, as a key influence on international events.

Idealist thinks that human nature is basically good and that with good habits, education and appropriate international relationships. For idealist the principles of IR must flow from morality, according to Chinese writer M O Ti, he pointed out that every one knows that "murder is unrighteous" Yet, when murder is committed in attacking a country it is not considered wrong, it is applauded and called righteous" Idealist were particularly active in the period between world war I and II following the painful experience of world war-I, US president W.Wilson and other idealists placed hopes for peace in the shape of the league of nation. Kant made a strong plea for the prevention of war among states and creation of condition for perpetual peace.

These idealists regarded the power struggle as nothing but the passing phase of history. Idealists believe that human nature is essentially good and capable of altruisms, mutual aid and collaboration, these idealists are the stanch believes that wars represent the worst feature of international system and therefore international society has to recognize itself to criminate the institution that make war likely. These thinker often point to western competitive system as models of societies that operate in accordance with idealistic principles (Habib Shangla)

usually refers to the school of thought personified in American diplomatic history by Woodrow Wilson, such that it is sometimes referred to as Wilsonianism, or Wilsonian Idealism. Idealism holds that a state should make its internal political philosophy the goal of its foreign policy. For example, an idealist might believe that ending poverty at home should be coupled with tackling poverty abroad. Wilson's idealism was a precursor to liberal international relations theory, which would arise amongst the "institution-builders" after World War II.

Idealism is also marked by the prominent role played by international law and international organizations in its conception of policy formation. One of the most well-known tenets of modern idealist thinking is democratic peace theory, which holds that states with similar modes of democratic governance do not fight one another. Wilson's idealistic thought was embodied in his Fourteen points speech, and in the creation of the League of Nations.

Idealism transcends the left-right political spectrum. Idealists can include both human rights campaigners (traditionally, but not always, associated with the left) and American neoconservatism which is usually associated with the right.

Idealism may find itself in opposition to Realism, a worldview which argues that a nation's national interest is more important than ethical or moral considerations; however, there need be no conflict between the two (see Neoconservatism for an example of a confluence of the two). Realist thinkers include Hans Morgenthau, Niccolò Machiavelli, Otto von Bismarck, George F. Kennan and others.

Descendant theories

Idealism proper was a relatively short lived school of thought, and suffered a crisis of confidence following the failure of the League of Nations and the outbreak of World War II. However, subsequent theories of international relations would draw elements from Wilsonian Idealism when constructing their world views.

Liberalism

Liberalism manifested a tempered version of Wilson's idealism in the wake of World War II. Cognizant of the failures of Idealism to prevent renewed isolationism following World War I, and its inability to manage the balance of power in Europe to prevent the outbreak of a new war, liberal thinkers devised a set of international institutions based on rule of law and regularized interaction. These international organizations, such as the United Nations and the NATO, or even international regimes as the Bretton Woods system, and General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), were calculated both to maintain a balance of power as well as regularize cooperation between nations.

Neoconservatism

Neoconservatism drew from Liberalism its intense focus on the promotion of "universal values", in this case democracy, human rights, free trade, women's rights and minority protections. However, it differs in that it is less wedded to the importance of preserving international institutions and treaties while pursuing assertive or aggressive stances which it deems morally worthy, and is willing to use force or the threat of force, unilaterally if necessary, to push for its goals.

See also

• Idealism
• Human Rights
• Realism (international relations)
• United Nations
• International relations theory
• "New world order"
• Liberal internationalism