Critical International Politics Theories: Marxism vs Liberalism Comparison

How do critical international Politics theoretical approaches challenge conventional mainstream IR theories. Illustrate by comparing a critical theory with a mainstream one (e.g., Marxism vs Liberalism) 

Karl Marx's Marxism theory held that Europe's 19th-century capitalism arose as a result of earlier feudal regimes. He argued that private interests regulate labor and market exchange, resulting in oppression from which certain classes attempt to break free. Marx believes in two economic classes: the bourgeioisie, which owns the means of production, and the Proletariat, which is the oppressed labor. (Mingst et al., 2018). Through his work, he believed that what happens at the level of international relations is essential in achieving global freedom and human emancipation. Marx believed that the technique of domination arises from the unequal economic distribution made possible by the capitalist system. This type of structure needs to continue for the capitalist to maintain dominance and the capitalist structure to survive. He believed the means of power globally is through the economic technique of suppression and domination.             

The liberalism theory is different from the critical international relation theory of Marxism and it believed that human beings are social creatures, working and living in groups, and through education and learning, they are capable of developing institutions capable of ensuring and advancing human welfare (Mingst et al., 2018). Liberalism requires minimal interference by the government in citizen welfare and aims to achieve peace, democracy, international relations, and free trade.  Through the formation of international economic communities, liberalism would promote free and liberal democracy and international justice through voluntary international judicial institutions.  Liberalism thus majors on the political economy, individual liberty, and equal right which is contrary to Marxism which majors on economics and maximization of profit as well as the difference in social class and the struggle to attain higher social class order.

Reference

Mingst, K., McKibben, H., & Arreguin-Toft, I. (2018). Essentials of international   relations (8th ed.). W.W. Norton & Company.