What is International Order?
Historical Background
Key Points
8 points- 1.
Rules-based system: Adherence to international law, treaties, and established norms, providing predictability and legitimacy.
- 2.
Multilateral institutions: Organizations like the UN, WTO, IMF, World Bank, which facilitate cooperation, set standards, and provide platforms for global governance.
- 3.
Balance of power: Distribution of capabilities among states that prevents any single state from dominating, often through alliances and counter-balancing.
- 4.
Great power responsibility: Major powers often play a disproportionate role in shaping and maintaining the order, sometimes acting as 'hegemons' or 'balancers'.
- 5.
Economic openness: Promotion of free trade, investment, and interconnected global markets, often through institutions like the WTO.
- 6.
Shared values: Often underpinned by principles like democracy, human rights, and self-determination (though these are frequently contested and selectively applied).
- 7.
Challenges: Rise of revisionist powers, nationalism, protectionism, non-state actors, global challenges like climate change, pandemics, and cyber threats.
- 8.
Types of order: Can be unipolar (dominated by one power), bipolar (two dominant powers), multipolar (multiple major powers), or characterized by different hegemons (e.g., British, American).
Visual Insights
International Order: Key Elements
Mind map illustrating the key elements and challenges to the international order.
International Order
- ●Key Institutions
- ●Power Dynamics
- ●Norms & Laws
- ●Challenges
Recent Developments
6 developmentsDebate over the decline of the liberal international order and the rise of a multipolar world, with new centers of power.
Increased competition between major powers (US-China, Russia-West), leading to geopolitical fragmentation and proxy conflicts.
Challenges to multilateralism and international institutions, with some states questioning their effectiveness or legitimacy.
Rise of regional blocs and alternative governance structures, potentially leading to a more fragmented global system.
Impact of technological advancements (AI, cyber) on global power dynamics and norms, creating new domains of competition.
China's increasing assertiveness and its vision for a 'community of shared future for mankind' as an alternative to the existing Western-led order.