The Hollowed Order: Multilateralism in an Era of Coercion
The post-1945 international order, anchored by the United Nations and the conviction that rule of law could restrain raw power, is currently facing an existential crisis. As Shashi Tharoor argues, we are transitioning from a world of "rules" back to a world of "might," where global norms are increasingly treated as optional suggestions rather than binding commitments.
The Erosion of Multilateralism
For decades, the liberal international order relied on a "patchwork of norms"—sovereign equality, collective security, and open trade. Today, this foundation is crumbling due to:
* Great Power Exceptionalism: Major powers now openly embrace a "might is right" sensibility, bypassing international law when it suits their interests.
* Institutional Paralysis: Bodies like the UN are starved of legitimacy and resources, frequently paralyzed by vetoes and a lack of political will from member states.
* "Problems without Passports": Issues like climate change, pandemics, and cyber threats require collective action, yet the world is retreating into isolationism and fragmented governance.
The Interregnum and India’s Role
We are living in an interregnum—an uncomfortable middle ground where the old system is hollowed out, but a new one has yet to form. The danger is not a sudden collapse, but a slow decay into a vacuum filled by opportunism and coercion.
For middle powers like India, this shift is particularly fraught. While old certainties have frayed, India remains a stakeholder in a rules-based system to prevent a return to "unmediated anarchy." The challenge for this generation is not to resurrect a flawed past, but to prevent a future where the only rule is that there are no rules at all.
Source the hindu