Kant serves as key to understanding the idealist-liberal school of thought which runs not only in direct counterpoint to realism, but has contributed to a number of other important liberal and social theories over the past two centuries. These theories are also more optimistic than realism about the prospects for peace. As opposed to realism, which focuses on dominance solutions to collective-goods problems, these alternatives focus on the reciprocity and identity principles.

Instruction: Use the related theory and concept above, use an recent event as an example to answer the essay question.

Essay Question: How do you see alternatives to realism in international relations today?