Pic Courtesy (internet) Chintan India foundation
Understanding Multilateralism: Definition and Contours
In international relations, multilateralism refers to an alliance of multiple countries (group of three or more) pursuing a common goal. Multilateralism is often defined in opposition to bilateralism and unilateralism. Nevertheless, this “quantitative” definition is not sufficient to capture the nature of multilateralism.
Multilateralism involves adherence to a common political scheme based on the respect of a shared system of norms and values. Its operation is determined by collectively developed rules that ensure sustainable and effective cooperation.
Multilateralism is therefore both a method of cooperation and a form of organization of the international system.
At the very core of multilateralism lies an interdependency that is key to the equilibrium needed to maintain peaceful global existence.
In particular, multilateralism is based on founding principles such as consultation, inclusion and solidarity. It guarantees all actors the same rights and obligations. Multilateralism gives small powers a voice and influence that they could not otherwise exercise.
Multilateralism is also a dynamic historical process, which cannot be dissociated from the context in which it takes shape.
Multilateralism may be at a global level involving several nations acting together, as in the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organization, or may be at regional level involving regional or military alliances, pacts, or groupings, such as NATO.
Historical Evolution
Modern instance of multilateralism occurred in the nineteenth century in Europe after the end of the Napoleonic Wars. In 1815 “The Concert of Europe” was formed to resolve issues peacefully.
After the First World War world leaders created the League of Nations (which became the precursor of the United Nations) in an attempt to prevent a similar conflict.
After the Second World War, in 1945 United Nations was created. Since then, the “breadth and diversity” of multilateral arrangements escalated.
Post war years also saw the development of organizations such as the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) (now the World Trade Organization), the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Health Organization. Formation of these and other subsequent bodies under the United Nations made the new system more powerful.
United Nations peacekeepers stationed around the world became a visible symbol of multilateralism.
Later, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization was formed.
Over the past hundred years, multilateralism has constantly evolved as it has adapted to the transformations of the international system.
The multilateral architecture quickly grew to encompass economic development, international security, global health, human rights, and environmental issues.
It found expression in multiple forums such as the UN, World Bank, IMF, WTO, NATO, OECD, as well as more informal venues such the G7 or G20. A long and imperfect work in progress, multilateralism evolved in parallel to, and was a key component of, the emerging liberal international order rooted in normative assumptions of progress.
Present Status
With the end of the Cold War, the multilateral system gained a new momentum as global exchanges accelerated and more inclusive, multi stake holder approaches allowed for the participation of new actors.
Nevertheless, this system is now under threat, with its core goals and values challenged from a variety of quarters. What is being witnessed is not the demise of but a decline of multilateralism.
The multilateral system needs a review both in its normative foundations and its operational capacity.
Political rigidities in multilateral organizations charged with overseeing economic globalization – such as the IMF, World Bank, UN, WTO and others – have prevented adequate reform.
There are three views on the state of Multilateralism.
- Optimistic View. Multilateralism was fundamental to the liberal world order created at the end of World War II. It has been and still is crucial in maintaining peace and prosperity.
- Pessimistic View. Some feel that multilateralism is possibly at its weakest today, when the need for it is direr than ever before. But because the multilateral world order is so dependent on the input of states, multilateralism itself is not functioning well.
- Transformational View. This view argues that far from being on the verge of collapse, the multilateral system was merely undergoing a profound mutation – one that might even end up making it more effective and better adapted to the realities of the 21st century.
Challenges
After decades of globalisation and integration, the world seems to be fragmenting again, epitomised best, perhaps, by the return of geopolitics, protectionism, unilateral sanctions, treaty withdrawals, and even military and economic coercion.
Global governance has indeed in many ways changed in complexity, buoyancy and density. It now consists of a multi layered system of – often competing, overlapping or conflicting – regimes, agreements, networks, and initiatives.
Multilateralism is facing the challenges from the new emerging world order with the United States trying to retain its status, Russia trying to regain its glory and China trying to achieve world number one status.
The Powerful countries (military and economic power) tend to dominate or coerce other members of the multilateral groups forgetting the principle of equality.
The pandemic has heightened the crisis of multilateralism, not created it.
The pandemic is teaching countries, through bitter experience, that weaponised interdependence is not just a theory but a practice that is rapidly evolving. And it can have life and death consequences.
State actors are proving ever more reluctant to fund international organisations and engage into binding agreements.
Relevance
As such the building blocks of multilateralism, the states, seem to be less and less capable of dealing with the challenges of globalisation. Coalitions of like-minded countries of various types will certainly always exist and be useful to solve particular problems.
Pressing global challenges and issues such as major conflicts, pandemics, climate change, migration flows, global economic shocks, arms control, and cyber security can only be solved collectively through international cooperation and multilateral agreements.
A globalised world facing globalised challenges still requires an open, rules-based international order to ensure that the system works in the service of all nations and people.
Trends: The Changing Nature of Multilateralism
For the past two to three decades, it has been widely recognised that the current multilateral system needs to be reformed due to rapid changes in the economic, demographic and political weight of advanced and emerging economies.
Two major developments are currently transforming the multilateral system. The first is the trend towards multi-polarity due to the rise of number of states that act as key players. The second development, is the changing nature of the multilateral activity due to regional groupings and states being members of multiple groups.
The disillusionment with formal multilateralism is leading to the consideration of various alternatives, mainly regional deals or cooperation that is limited to likeminded or geographically proximate countries.
Concept of regional integration is gaining favour because of the belief that “Contemporary problems can be better solved at the regional rather than the bilateral or global levels“.
Multilateralism Simplified
Multilateralism is collective problem solving.
Coming up
Flexible security cooperation: Trends
Questions
What are the options for India?
Suggestions and value additions are most welcome
For regular updates, please register here
References
https://globalchallenges.ch/issue/7/multilaterism-is-in-crisis-or-is-it/
https://www.global-solutions-initiative.org/press-news/the-future-of-multilateralism/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multilateralism
Thought provoking. Great work, Anil. My thoughts are as follows.
Multilateralism is a very broad subject covering nearly every gamut of inter state relationships, as you have alluded to in your concise blog. First & second wold wars were the triggers for multi lateral grouping to bring peace & security to our world. UNO has done great work thus far, during the nation-state & industrial era, but is now found wanting with newer challenges thrown up by the information era, a unipolar world, automation, space, miniaturisation, demographic changes, and non state actors with weapons & technology that can be challenging to even established nation states. Multilaterlaism at the global level has to adapt to these challenges, and is needed more than ever, as the threats of climate change, terrorism, drugs, piracy, and intellectual copyrights are global issues that need to be addressed globally. I believe global issues need global solutions & regional need regional, to be effective and efficient; regional multilateralism would helpful for regional issues.
I believe security & peace are the foundation for any further developments in economic, trade, climate change, or other issues.
Agree that multilateralism is collective problem solving of issues that impact.
Options for India? SAARC is nearly dead. Can it be revived? How? Two large neighbours, Pakistan and China, are big challenges. How do we approach them, as diplomacy has not been effective, thus far. LoC and LAC are the stated issues, but the actual issues are ideological, I believe. Counters to ideology; one religio-political & the other world view related?
Thanks for the value addition sir