Man, state and the myth of democratic peace

Abstract

This article examines the role of ‘democracy pacifist’ theory advocated by the West in international relations. ‘Democratic peace’ is an idea, which is closely related to political globalization. It is an instrument ostensibly to create a politically homogenous world. ‘Democratic peace’ is merely an adjunct of the American foreign policy based on the vision of the ‘two worlds’, and is just another tool in the hands of western powers to challenge the sovereignty of the states in the era of globalisation. The paper also attempts to understand the growing tendency among the West to target individual leaders in various countries for human rights violations. A closer scrutiny of the American policy suggests that its main function is to reform the rogue states by targeting first the territory of that state through an armed attack and then blaming the leader of that distraught nation for all the destruction and war. Therefore, it is apparent that what seems to touch the heart, soul and the basic interest of the American foreign policy is Man, State and Democratic Wars. It is in this light that the study of democratic peace or war gains added significance in the post‐Cold War‐world, where the absolutes of state sovereignty are being constantly challenged.