The concept of superpower emerges from the attributes when a state bears military might, economic supremacy, political influence and stability, diplomatic ties, and of course technological advancement. Some may also include hegemony in the list. United States of America has long been considered as superpower possessing all the qualities including hegemony. However, the recent US-Iran conflict has challenged the entire concept of superpower, therefore these days the debates on shift in global order has become norm of the day.
Global order is the order made to suit the interests of the world’s leading powers, where international institutions and policies are made and implemented accordingly. There are different scenarios when the global order tends to shift; the persistence and continuity of which stimulate a change or shift in global order. For instance, from the past few decades, there can be no denial of the failure of the existing international system and its institutions like UN, IMF, WTO in the face of global challenges; from Kashmir to Ukraine, and from Gaza to Iran we see our so-called guardians lost in oblivion rather found acting vice versa. This also indicates the failure of US-led world order where the leadership of superpower seems to be waning. Besides, the increasing influence of Emerging powers, deglobalization, focus on regional integration, and international cooperation on security issues based on bilateralism than multilateralism are also current trends in contemporary world which may instigate shift in global order.
In the backdrop of current challenges and long standing non-responsive international systems, states demand sovereignty and their identity. There is also a growing sense of bilateral cooperation instead of multilateralism and forming security blocks to address the challenges and threats of global terrorism, AI warfare, cyberwarfare, and concerns regarding climate change. This approach indicates the pressing demand of working on alternatives beyond the West dominancy. The sphere of cooperation includes but is not limited to ideological, economic, military, and technology. Thus, the global order is shifting from old superpower-led system to multipolar world.
As Josep Borrel, Former Vice-President of the European Commission puts it “We live in a more and more multipolar world, but multilateralism is in retreat we must find ways to overcome this paradox.” Multipolarity without multilateralism | EEAS This paradox is rooted in the natural quest for an equitable, just and fair global order which should be based on the principles of non-interference, right of sovereignty, and identity of individual states.
The current system is however leading through the principles of ‘white supremacy’ and ‘America first’ which is no longer accepted in the new global order. Iran’s deterrence and steadfastness in the recent crisis is the prime example of this changed approach. Above all the support for Iran and anger for US actions is coming from the different factions of the world, from the masses and from the governments regardless of their national identity, and political and economic relations, symbolizing the imminent shift in the global political mindset which reflects the denial of hegemony of superpower. The Islamabad Talks are also signaling the shift in global order as it uplifts Pakistan’s diplomatic position in the world so emphasizing the importance and role of middle powers in global affairs.
Nonetheless, a multipolar world has a lot in its plate to offer the world in comparison to the superpower led system. Primarily It holds the potential to reshape the geo-political landscape of the world by altering the old yet still practicing colonial norms of ‘donor’—‘recipient’ relation thereby promoting the relations among different states which are based on collaboration and cooperation. Secondly it establishes multiple centers of power in the world each having capability to influence international affairs. Finally the world needs cooperation, not conflict so the multipolar world offers a collaboration led order based on mutual trust and benefits in contrast to US led order, focused on conflict driven agendas and even so US remained ungrateful. As we see in latest remarks of American President- Donald Trump “NATO wasn’t there when we needed them, and they won’t be there if we need them again. Remember Greenland, that big, poorly run, piece of ice!!!” (https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116371693008302124) Well! Everyone knows NATO’s contribution in US led conflicts whether be in Afghanistan or elsewhere. Nevertheless, NATO’s stance in Greenland and Iran conflict clearly indicates the shift in global order.
In addition, the remarkable emergence of China as economic, military and technological might and Russian advent as political power in international arena have transformed the global geopolitical panorama and the power dynamics. In contrast to multilateralism states are now more akin towards Bilateral deals to safeguard their national interests without the hassle of global consensus like in UN and WTO etc. China’s initiatives like BRI and BRICS+ have altered the concept of developed (donor) and developing nations (recipient) where the devastating role of rule based multilateral institutions like IMF promoted the relationship of master and slave between the states. BRICS+ also set an alternative to western dominated G7 block.
Conclusively, today’s world needs more balanced approach where everyone should have a right to peaceful co-existence, where the principles of non-interference and right of sovereignty are realized and exercised in true spirit. International institutions should redefine their policies and restructure decision-making processes to address the global challenges and issues. This could be done by incorporating middle and regional powers along with emerging economies to play their role in global decision making. The new multipolar world demands more enhanced cooperation in the fields of technology, research and innovation trade and development financing with all interested stakeholders. States are ready to work above and beyond their historical and current conflicts like in BRICS+ we see China-India and Saudi Arabia-Iran presence in one block; creating new pathways and generating new ideas, rejecting the authority of old unipolar, power centered and hegemonic world order indicating the shift in Global order.
