The nature of the LIO, as well as its very existence, has been debated by scholars.[5][6][7][1] The LIO has been credited with expanding free trade, increasing capital mobility, spreading democracy, promoting human rights, and collectively defending the West from the Soviet Union.[1] The LIO facilitated unprecedented cooperation among the states of North America, Western Europe and Japan.[1] Over time, the LIO facilitated the spread of economic liberalism to the rest of the world, as well as helped consolidate democracy in formerly fascist or communist countries.[1]
Origins of the LIO have commonly been identified as the 1940s, usually starting in 1945,[1] with some scholars pointing to earlier agreements between the WWII-era Allies such as the Atlantic Charter in 1941.[8]John Mearsheimer has dissented with this view, arguing that the LIO only arose after the end of the Cold War.[9] Core founding members of the LIO include the states of North America, Western Europe and Japan; these states form a security community.[1] The characteristics of the LIO have varied over time.[1] Some scholars refer to a Cold War variation of the LIO largely limited to the West, and a post-Cold War variation having a more widespread scope and giving international institutions more powers.[10]
Aspects of the LIO are challenged internally within liberal states by populism, protectionism and nativism.[11][12][9][13][14][15] Scholars have argued that embedded liberalism (or the logics inherent in the Double Movement) are key to maintaining public support for the planks of the LIO; some scholars have raised questions whether aspects of embedded liberalism have been undermined, thus leading to a backlash against the LIO.[16][17][13][18]
Externally, the LIO is challenged by authoritarian states, illiberal states, and states that are discontented with their roles in world politics.[9][19][20][21][22][23] China, Russia, Iran and North Korea have been characterized as prominent challengers to the LIO.[9][20][21][24][25][26] Some scholars have argued that the LIO contains self-undermining aspects that could trigger backlash or collapse.[19][25]
^ abBeckley, Michael (2022-02-15). "Enemies of My Enemy". Foreign Affairs. ISSN0015-7120. Retrieved 2022-02-19. The liberal order, like all international orders, is a form of organized hypocrisy that contains the seeds of its own demise. To forge a cohesive community, order builders have to exclude hostile nations, outlaw uncooperative behaviors, and squelch domestic opposition to international rule-making. These inherently repressive acts eventually trigger a backlash.