This is a very important and interesting question.
Pluralist thinking in international relations has positive and negative points. It is
positive, because it acknowledges the fact that there are many points of view, cultures,
and ways of doing things. No one country has a monopoly. This can be a great
development, because when people are willing to learn from others, there is greater
unity and understanding, not to mention further increases in knowledge. On a more
practical level, there can be greater peace as well. In light of this, the modern
developments in this area should be applauded - such as the United Nations,
international conferences whether they be in finance, medicine or
religion.
With all this said, all is not positive. If there
is a strictly pluralistic and relativistic framework, it is possible to make all things
equal, when they are not. Not all ideas, philosophies and ways of living are equally
beneficial. Some are better than others. For instance, the xenophobic ideologies of the
far right (I'm thinking of the shootings in Norway) are not equal to
democracy.
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