Context : Decline of the Rules-Based International Order
- The post-WWII order, founded on economic integration, collective security, and self-determination, is weakening.
- The U.S., once its key proponent, now repudiates UN Charter principles, especially after the second Trump presidency.
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations , Global Governance)
Historical Context of the World Order
- Formation (1941-1945): U.S., U.K., Soviet Union, and China established collective security (Four Policemen concept).
- Yalta Conference (1945): Inclusion of France; spheres of influence implicitly accepted (e.g., Soviet control in Eastern Europe).
- Despite flaws, institutions like the UN and Bretton Woods fostered predictable international relations.
Trump’s Disruption of Global Norms
- Withdrew from key agreements (Paris Agreement, WHO).
- Imposed unilateral tariffs, disrupting global trade.
- Pursuing nationalist policies, focusing on U.S. hemispheric dominance.
U.S.-Russia Rapprochement and Ukraine Crisis
- Trump bypasses Ukraine in peace talks; labels Zelenskyy a dictator.
- Concessions to Russia (e.g., no NATO troops in Ukraine) undermine European security.
- European reliance on NATO now challenged; forced to rethink defense strategies.
Resurgence of Spheres of Influence
- U.S. refocuses on the Western Hemisphere and West Asia.
- Russia gains a freer hand in Europe; seeks to reclaim imperial-era territories.
- China eyes Taiwan amid waning U.S. presence in East Asia.
Implications for India and the Region
- China’s historical claims (e.g., McMahon Line dispute) raise regional security concerns.
- India faces heightened insecurity with shifting global alignments and China’s assertiveness.
Emerging World Order: Might Over Right
- Multilateralism gives way to power politics and territorial ambitions.
- The global system transitions from cooperation to competition and coercion.
