Liberalism has contributed to the understanding of international relations as an academic discipline and through organizations such as the United Nations, the European Union, the League of Arab States and others in what many consider to be a very influential way. To begin with, liberalism has its roots in the period of the Enlightenment (Mingst, 2008) where many philosophers and thinkers of the time began to question the established status quo. As the prevailing belief in religious superstition began to be replaced with a more rational way of thinking and a belief in the inherent goodness of humanity. The Enlightenment period influenced liberalism's belief that humans are thinkers who can naturally understand the laws that govern human social conduct, and by understanding these laws, humans can improve their condition and live in harmony with the others (Mingst, 2008). Two of the most important liberal internationalists of the Enlightenment period were Immanuel Kant and Jeremy Bentham, both of whom thought that international relations were conducted in brutal ways. It was Kant who compared international relations to “a savage and lawless state” (Baylis and Smith, 2001, pp 165). It was also Kant who believed that nations could form a sort of united United States and thus overcome international anarchy (Mingst, 2008). This was probably the beginning of a coherent belief in some sort of union of sovereign states. Towards the end of the 17th century, William Penn believed that a “diet” (parliament) could be established in Europe, like the European Union today (Baylis and Smith, 2001). We can see much of this liberal thinking today in organizations like the United Nations. Another influential work to have core principles and beliefs. Throughout its history, the United Nations has continuously worked on and supported collective security measures through international diplomacy and through the deployment of peacekeepers in troubled areas around the world. Its collective security measures are another example of the beliefs established by Kant (Baylis and Smith, 2001). The Mont Pelerin Society, while not as influential as the United Nations, is yet another example of the type of classic liberal think tank that exists today. It has had some important and influential members including Nobel Prize winners Milton Friedman and Vernon Smith. Although it is unclear how it may have influenced state actors in the past. There are many other liberal organizations and this is just a small example of many that exist around the world that have influenced international relations.