What are the Limits of Liberal Democratic Ideals in Relation to Overcoming

Global Inequality and Injustice?

Abstract

According to many in the West the liberalizing effects of North America¹s

free market ideals will generate equality and justice worldwide.  I urge

that we should be critical of those who justify imposing liberal democratic

ideals on underdeveloped nations by simply suggesting that they promote

equality and justice.  In the West entrenched disparities have shaped

liberal ideals in ways that make inequality and injustice look natural and

normal.  Indeed, gender, class, and racial oppression have existed right

alongside liberal democratic ideals.  If liberal ideals can be molded to

make inequality and injustice look natural and normal in the West, then

these same ideals can justify economic interactions, technology transfers,

military cooperation, and mutual benefit agreements that sustain global

inequality and injustice.