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C. 
CLASSICAL LIBERALISM 
Classical Liberal theorists reject the argument that the relations between states are 
inherently conflictual and instead argue that the growing interdependence between states reduces 
the chances of interstate conflicts. States are seen as being means to an end and the challenge in 
domestic politics is to create a system for domestic governance that enhances an individual's 
capacity to pursue their own preferences. Classical liberals agree that the international community 
may affect the capacity of states to create and maintain systems of governance that promote 
individual freedom and the conflicts between states are said to be as a result of faults in their design 
and construction. Peace is possible only if both states and institutions are properly designed or 
reformed. 
Immanuel Kant is of the opinion that since democratic states do not fight each other, the 
problems of peace and security would be resolved if all states were democratic - to him distribution 
of power is not as important as the .expectations of the people. Since democratic states are internally 
focused and welfare oriented, they do not act aggressively unless they feel threatened and since 
other democratic states are similarly inclined, they will not be viewed as possible threats. 

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However, non-democratic states are seen as standing in the way of peace and security and 
therefore they should be 'fixed'. Woodrow Wilson argued that the world had to be made safe for 
democracy and externally based efforts to reform non-democratic states were necessary. Classical 
'liberals lean towards the creation of institutions that will contain - if not resolve - the problem of 
war. 
RATIONALE FOR PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS 
Primarily, Article 43(1) in' Chapter VII of the UN Charter provides a clear reason for any 
peacekeeping operation and it reads: All members of the UN, in order to contribute to the 
maintenance of international-peace and security, undertake to make available to the Security 
Council, on its call and in accordance with a special agreement or agreements, armed forces, 
assistance, and facilities, including rites of passage, necessary for the purpose of maintaining 
international peace and security.' (Adapted from Bellamy & Williams 2010) 
The relevance of article 43 above was captured by Oliver and Woodhouse (2000), 
Obadiah(2013) and re-phrased in our own words: 'peacekeeping is all tailored towards intervening 
or prevailing on a conflict happening outside your zone or location before it gets into your own 
location if not intercepted.' And this also can be used as a platform to submit that the UN, since its 
creation has been called upon to do the following: 
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Prevent disputes from escalating into war-using early warning system, peacemaking, peace 
building etc 
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Persuade opposing parties to use the conference table rather than the force of arms. 
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Help restore peace-stability- where conflict has broken out. (UNDPKO 200) 
Going further, the UN's responses to conflict (Peace Operations) are often grouped into 
four stages namely: peace-making, peace enforcement, peace keeping and peace building. 
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