International Studies Journal (ISJ)

International Studies Journal (ISJ)

Liberal International Order’s (LIO) Approach to Justice: Peace and Security in Perspective

Document Type : Original Independent Original Article

Authors
Mostafa Fazaeli 1
Mohsen Seyjani 2
1 Professor of International Law, Department of International Law, Faculty of Law, University of Qom, Qom, Iran.
2 Department of International Law, Faculty of Law, University of Qom, Qom, Iran.
10.22034/isj.2025.522581.2336
Abstract
In the contemporary world, the Liberal International Order (LIO) is widely recognised as a key force shaping the domestic and international agendas of states and numerous global institutions. As the dominant global order, its efficacy is fundamentally influenced by liberalism and its approach to justice. Given the direct impact of justice on both domestic and international peace and security, the LIO’s justice agenda warrants close scrutiny—especially at a time of escalating conflicts, geopolitical tensions, and growing resistance to liberal norms. Against this backdrop, the present article addresses the key question: How is the LIO’s pursuit of justice evaluated, and what major obstacles hinder its ability to promote peace and security at national and international levels? Employing qualitative content analysis, this article supports the hypothesis that the LIO’s conception and implementation of justice are fundamentally flawed—criticised not only by non-liberal states but also increasingly questioned within liberal democracies themselves. These endogenous and exogenous challenges have fuelled inequality, disillusionment, and instability in various regions. The article concludes that, without aligning its normative justice principles with more inclusive, coherent, and consistently applied practices, the LIO will remain ill-prepared to respond effectively to the growing peace and security needs of a rapidly multipolar world.
Keywords
LIO
Justice
Peace and Security
Fairness
Equality
Subjects
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