Democracy and Peace: Will the Spread of Democracy Solve the Problem of War?

Abstract

The democratic peace theory has been a prominent framework for understanding the complex interplay between peace and war. This comprehensive study aims to synthesize the existing academic literature on the diverse positions taken by leading scholars regarding the role of democracy in fostering either peace or war. To achieve this objective, the study undertakes a comparative analysis of the definitions of democratic peace theory and investigates the intricate relationship between democracy and war. The findings of this study reveal that the foundational principles upon which democracy is built are intertwined with the ideologies that fuel the occurrence of armed conflicts. Moreover, a distinct polarization emerges among scholars, with some staunchly supporting the democratic peace theory and others vehemently disputing its validity. Based on these observations, this study concludes that the democratic peace theory lacks robustness and cannot be considered a self-reliant explanatory framework. Furthermore, it calls upon proponents of the democratic peace theory to recognize that while the theory has contributed significantly to the promotion of peace globally, its effectiveness is inherently dependent on the capitalistic nature of human relationships.