DEMOCRATIC PEACE THEORY AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY: A CRITICAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

States, just like humans, primarily strive to survive and maintain territorial integrity. They develop strategies against security threats from inside or outside. These security strategies may vary according to the state's geopolitical and geostrategic structure, economic base, population and perceived threat. Although some tools are different, the aim is usually the same; firstly, it is to keep the state alive without disturbing the territorial integrity of the country by eliminating existing threats and preventing imminent threats and to provide a peaceful and safe life for its citizens. Increased security concerns after the Cold War escalated after the September 11 attacks. There are many tools used to solve international security problems such as war, armaments, and the alliance. It will be examined in this study whether one of these tools, democracy and democratization efforts, can overcome these problems.