Multilateralism refers to an alliance of several countries pursuing a common goal. It is a term that gained popularity after World War II when the goals of international relations focused on collective security, economic openness, and social progress. However, the past few years have shown that some objectives have not been achieved. Check out some opinions below on why multilateralism is in decline and how it can be fixed.
Why is multilateralism in decline and how can this be fixed?
“Multilateralism refers to a group of three or more states working together within the principles of an international rule-based order, shared commitment, partnership, and cooperation. Despite the United States’ efforts to shape the post-World War II order, multilateralism is threatened and is in decline. Why? Because of the United States’ hegemonic and structural power advantages over other states which causes it to behave the way it does. The imperativeness of the relative power of some states over others causes them to flout the multilateral agenda for self-interested actions. Secondly, the rise of populism as a brand of politics over the years has contributed to this decline. For instance, the Bush administration’s skepticism and rejections of the Kyoto protocol on climate change and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and its doctrine of pre-emptive use of force as a unilateral action have contrasted against the principles of multilateralism. Brexit, for instance, was largely influenced by acts of rational calculations underpinned in its own national interests supported by popular ideals. Recently Trump’s administration’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and its lack of support for liberal institutions such as the WHO further supports this view. So, to fix this, the United States as a superpower should shape the multilateral agenda, build, unify and consolidate partnerships and alliances. It must build trust and confidence amongst states on an international rule-based agenda and, together with other great powers, rally and mobilize smaller states and liberal institutional mechanisms towards the multilateral cause.”
“Some years ago, multilateralism was at the core of a desired “new world order.” Today, nationalism and the great power’s rivalries and conflicts represent a dangerous virus for multilateralism. The US and China are using their military and economic coercion directly for their own geopolitical and geo-economic advantages. Also, other non-western states no longer want to be part of the Western-influenced multilateral order. And even in Western democracies, multilateralism is increasingly endangered domestically by nationalism, populism, and sovereignty absolutism. The fear is that the global institutions (UN, EU, WTO, NATO etc.) seek to rise above the authority of the nation-state in order to determine their own national policies. That’s why London, Poland, Hungary, or other right-wing nationalists are raging against the “Brussels Empire” and preach bilateralism. The US government single-handedly imposed sanctions against Iran that had a direct negative effect on the EU. China, which has benefited most from the WTO, is also playing off bilaterally its market power. Multilateralism, on the other hand, thrives on universal principles, solidarity, common values, and reciprocity. The advantages and disadvantages should be balanced over a longer time frame. It is an indispensable means with which to withstand the dominance of major powers. Its basis is that all parties involved submit to these principles. If there is no faith in them anymore, the basis of multilateralism erodes. What needs to be done? First, international standards, rules, and agreements should always be firmly defended. Second, the existing structure needs to be reformed to make it more inclusive (e.g., development aspects), operational and effective. Thirdly, multilateral agreements should be promoted in areas that have not yet been regulated and that affect and concern citizens (environmental protection, climate, social rights).”
“Multilateralism as a rule-based collective decision-making process enables participants to pursue mutual issues of concern that need concerted efforts. A century after its institutionalization, there seems to be a growing concern that multilateralism is declining or losing relevance. The reasons are different according to various schools of thought, but the widely mentioned factors are nationalism, populism, geopolitical rivalries, and perceptions. Are not these the constitutive elements of international relations that multilateralism itself is entrusted to address? Multilateralism needs fixing – but what necessitates the fix is not its failure to deliver on its mandate but the need to infuse underlying change in this mandate. Global political and military security threats constitute the foundational mandate, and multilateralism can be said to have played its part in helping overcome major international wars. It also helped to formulate, forge and manage the post-Cold War globalized world order. However, the relatively interdependent and peaceful world multilateralism helps to create now requires more complex solutions to the energy, environmental, health, and economic challenges. In this regard, multilateralism should prove itself viable in addressing non-military or non-political security challenges such as global energy, environmental and health challenges and find a way to accommodate the growing influence of non-state actors.”
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