Describe the three major liberal approaches to security and conflict and give an example of each.

What will be an ideal response?

Student examples will vary. A sample answer follows. The three major liberal approaches to security and conflict are arms control/disarmament, collective security, and security communities. Arms control and disarmament are related but distinct approaches to security and conflict. Disarmament stresses the elimination (or, at least, the drastic reduction) of weapons, while arms control generally stresses restraint or regulation of the amount, type, positioning, or use of weapons. For example, victorious countries sometimes force involuntary disarmament on their defeated foes, as Napoleon did to Prussia. Examples of arms control treaties include SALT I and SALT II. Collective security can be summarized in the simple phrase “an attack on one is an attack on all.” The basis of collective security is that states form a community to maintain peace among its members. All members of the community agree to respond together to an attack by one or more member states on any other members. The United Nations is an example of a collective security system. Security communities emphasize developing a network of ties, such as economic or cultural relationships, between states and other actors to create a web of connections and shared interests that will reduce the likelihood of conflict. The European Union is a security community.