A liberal approach to a not so liberal policy : refugees in international society

Abstract

The rising number of refugees, and (civil) conflicts, especially after the end of the cold war and the apparent triumph of liberalism poses a challenge to liberalism both as a theory and as a policy agenda. This thesis contended that Liberalism in theory and practice has hitherto failed to meet the challenge and currently lacks the intellectual resources to do so. Yet, this presents a paradox of sorts: How can it be that liberalism, which has triumphed over other ideologies (at least on the international institutional level), fails to adequately adapt and address the growing issue of refugees? This paradox has been the starting point for this thesis. I then laid out how the problem can be addressed by developing what I have called a “conservative” liberal approach; one that I contend can better inform policymaking by bringing normative liberal theory within touching distance of policy practice.