At the end of the 20th century, a lasting peace based on liberal ideas seemed within reach. Today, the liberal world view is in a deep crisis, closely linked to effects of globalization. How can we conceptualize this crisis and its consequences for the liberal paradigm in peace research and peace-oriented security policy? The article begins with a theoretical classification of central ideas of liberal peace theory in the context of globalization, before empirically examining liberally inspired security policy concepts and practices at selected fault lines of globalization: It concludes with a vote in favor of the liberal idea, which, however, in view of the complex changes induced by globalization, local resistance, and pathologies in the security practices of Western states, needs to re-calibrate its positioning towards itself and the world around it.