Path to perfection: the liberal social imaginary of International Relations

Abstract

"Path to perfection" is a title with some tradition within Spanish literature. Here it is used as a literary figure that conveys the enlightened and teleological idea of a way forward of Humanity towards perfection. Such idea is the main pillar of the modern liberal social imaginary. This faith in progress and in moral improvement stands firm in spite of the catastrophes –manmade most of them- that mark European history. International Relations work as a domain where this progress is easily questioned.