International relations discourse often assumes moral realism: that certain values are objectively correct, awaiting discovery or recognition by rational actors. Under this framework, nations promote their values—whether liberal democracy, socialist development, or religious governance—because they believe these represent universal truths. Disagreement becomes a matter of others failing to recognize objective reality.

International relations discourse often assumes moral realism: that certain values are objectively correct, awaiting discovery or recognition by rational actors. Under this framework, nations promote their values—whether liberal democracy, socialist development, or religious governance—because they believe these represent universal truths. Disagreement becomes a matter of others failing to recognize reality.

International relations discourse often assumes moral realism: that certain values are objectively correct, awaiting discovery or recognition by rational actors. Under this framework, nations promote their values—whether liberal democracy, socialist development, or religious governance—because they believe these represent universal truths. Disagreement becomes a matter of others failing to recognize objective reality.