An International Order without Globalism (original) (raw)

The liberal international order (LIO) is challenged by new powers, especially China, and powers that seek to restore their role in the international realm, especially Russia. It is also challenged by nationalist populism in nations that formed and long supported the order, especially the United States, as revealed by the election of Donald Trump (Ikenberry, 2017: 2). Some see the abandonment of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), Britain quitting the EU (Brexit), and the US' declining support for the UN and other multilateral institutions as indications that the LIO is endangered. Moreover, they fear that the result will be a less orderly world, and that increased tensions and conflicts among nations as well as violations of human rights, will follow. This article attempts to show that although these observations and concerns are valid, the world seems to be transitioning from an LIO to a nation-centered system (NCS), one based on nation-states, high respect for their sovereignty, and agreements among nations rather than liberal concepts of individual rights, liberalizing regime changes, and global governance. The article will attempt to show that the transition is less disruptive than it may at first seem because (a) several key elements of the LIO were not nearly as liberal as they have often been depicted and hence are not frequently challenged by the rising powers and nationalist populists. (b) As to the liberal elements of the LIO, the Wilsonian project, the global promotion of human rights and democracy both in other nations' domestic political systems and in world governance, the article finds that these have been distorted. If these distortions are corrected, these elements could find a place in the new world order. i (c) In addition, we shall see that the international order needs to Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3035438 be expanded to cover new 'territories,' areas in which key issues are raised by technological changes. These include climate change, outer space, cyberspace, as well as the spread of transnational terrorism.