Industrialization at the Crossroads of Trade and Conflict

Abstract

This paper will examine the liberal peace theory as postulated by Immanuel Kant in Perpetual Peace. Specifically this paper will examine the theories surrounding how democratization, membership in intergovernmental organizations and free trade influence and reduce the likelihood that conflicts between states will reach the point that violence is utilized as a means of solving them. In addition, through the use of empirical data this paper will analyze in what manner, if any, an advanced economy influences the manner in which democratization and trade reduce the likelihood for violent conflict; with an advanced economy being defined as one that is heavily industrialized. This paper will demonstrate the pacifying role that the very act of industrialization plays in world affairs and provide clues in which manner these four variables may be used to bring about a lessening of the threat of global war.