Which domestic traditions do democratic peace theorists link to peaceful relations between democracies?

Democratic peace theorists do not attribute peaceful relations between democracies to a single "domestic tradition." Instead, they identify two primary, competing explanations for why democratic states rarely wage war on one another:1

• Normative (Cultural) Explanation: Proponents argue that democratic societies are characterized by a political culture that values the peaceful resolution of disputes. This norm of compromise and nonviolence is applied by democratic citizenries to their international relations. Consequently, when two democracies face a conflict, their leaders expect each other to shun violent means, fostering a mutual expectation of peace.1

• Structural (Institutional) Explanation: Proponents argue that the internal political institutions of democracies are the primary factor. Features such as the separation of powers and checks and balances constrain elected leaders, preventing them from making rash decisions to go to war. Because these systems involve inherently slow decision-making processes, leaders have sufficient time to resolve disputes through diplomacy rather than force.1

These explanations are often associated with the liberal perspective in international relations, tracing back to the work of Immanuel Kant.1