Liberal World Order: Global politics, trade, and diplomacy got molded by liberal world order, it emerged after World War II.
Based on principles of democracy, free markets, human rights, and multilateral cooperation, this order has mostly been driven by the United States and its Western partners.
Still, recently raising nationalism, geopolitical changes, and the revival of great power competition have called its very basis into question.
The Building Blocks of the Liberal World Order
Western leaders wanted after World War II to create a structure meant to stop war and free worldwide wealth.
These developments gave rise to bodies including the United Nations (UN), the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
These groups tried to preserve world law, level out economies, and guarantee group security.
The United States was the foundation of this system.
Leadership—Washington is instrumental in moulding worldwide governance and protecting free ideals.
The United States aided the reconstruction of wartorn Europe through programs like the Marshall Plan and trade pacts including the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), later established the World Trade Organization. It established itself as the foundation of the liberal world order.
Criticisms of the Liberal Order
The liberal world order is under more pressure than ever before in the 21st century:
1. The Rise of Russia and China
China’s fast economic growth and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have served to extend its power and pose challenges to Western hegemony.
Most obviously perhaps through its invasion of Ukraine and opposition to NATO expansion, Russia under Vladimir Putin has tried to disturb the Western order.
2. United States isolationism and policy transitions
America will be absent under the “America First” slogan of Donald Trump.
withdraw from significant international treaties, like the Iran Nuclear Agreement and the Paris Climate Agreement, also therefore questioned the extent of their commitment to global leadership.
Even under President Joe Biden, Washington has fought to keep its power, with increasing internal division eroding its global reach.
3. Europe’s nationalism on the rise
European integration has been questioned and the stability of the European Union (EU) compromised by rightwing populist groups like France’s National Rally under Marine Le Pen and Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD).
Brexit highlighted the weakness of supranational organizations, with Britain’s leaving of the EU pointing to a reverse from worldwide ties.
4. Distrust of worldwide organizations on the rise
The COVID-19 epidemic revealed limitations in global cooperation, as nations put personal preferences above worldwide remedies.
Critics say the United Nations, IMF, and WTO are sluggish, bureaucratic, and unresponsive to the issues brought by rising economies and oppressive governments.
What’s next now?
Uncertain is the destiny of the liberal world order as the world shifts toward a more multipolar order—where power is spread among many international players rather than one dominant one.
US might no longer be the absolutely leader, therefore alliances have got to adjust to changed circumstances.
Although Europe could well become more responsible for upholding democratic norms, lacking a coherent approach it runs the danger of more division.
China and Russia, meantime, will keep growing their power in opposition to Western-led organizations.
The fundamental issue still is whether the liberal world order will last, develop, or fail.
Much will depend on whether world leaders can find a middle ground between national interests and international collaboration.
A fresh world order headed less on democracy and human rights might develop should the West not preserve its values.
