I think we can all agree that the current international system and its accompanying frameworks were created largely by the Western world--European countries, and the United States when it took over a the global superpower. The current system of national states and the sovereignty of nations are key concepts of the Western world, and today, key concepts of our international frameworks. These frameworks were developed at a time when Europe, and subsequently the U.S., were the leading powers of their times.
The problem, though, is that the world has changed. The global situation is no longer one where European countries are empires with colonies all over the world. It is not one where the world is split between two blocs in a cold war, with each bloc or more less isolated from the other, and the leaders of those blocs being the sole economic powerhouse within their respective blocs.
The world today is very different.
Former colonies have gained their independence (unless you count places annexed, like Guam and Hawaii, as colonies...), and some are doing even better than before. South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan are strong economies within their regions. The economies of Latin America are growing rapidly. China has gone from being a nation struggling with extreme poverty to become the world's second largest economy. The question is no longer "Will China replace the U.S. as the world's biggest economy?" but "When will China replace the U.S. as the world's biggest economy?"
Under such circumstances, international frameworks which cannot take into account the new global situation will become irrelevant, obsolete, and sidelined.
To preserve the current international frameworks, we need to update them, adapt them to fit into the current times. To ignore the changes, and try to continue implementing these frameworks will risk them being sidelined as new players such as China and India seek ways to be heard. If we do not adjust our frameworks to allow them to talk, they will come up with other platforms for them to be heard. That gives them the initiative, that gives them the advantage. If the leaders of old want to continue their hold on the initiative, then they need to be the ones initiating the changes to the existing frameworks, to change those frameworks to give new players a voice while continuing to be able to control the overall narrative.
If you are operating a bus service, you need to change your routes to adjust to changes in the neighbourhood. Otherwise, you will find yourself with less and less passengers, while someone else start a new bus route that better serves the new shape of the neighbourhood.
Just like living things evolving to adapt to changes in their environments, our systems need to evolve to adapt to the changing times. Natural selection is not limited to biological systems.
The problem, though, is that the world has changed. The global situation is no longer one where European countries are empires with colonies all over the world. It is not one where the world is split between two blocs in a cold war, with each bloc or more less isolated from the other, and the leaders of those blocs being the sole economic powerhouse within their respective blocs.
The world today is very different.
Former colonies have gained their independence (unless you count places annexed, like Guam and Hawaii, as colonies...), and some are doing even better than before. South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan are strong economies within their regions. The economies of Latin America are growing rapidly. China has gone from being a nation struggling with extreme poverty to become the world's second largest economy. The question is no longer "Will China replace the U.S. as the world's biggest economy?" but "When will China replace the U.S. as the world's biggest economy?"
Under such circumstances, international frameworks which cannot take into account the new global situation will become irrelevant, obsolete, and sidelined.
To preserve the current international frameworks, we need to update them, adapt them to fit into the current times. To ignore the changes, and try to continue implementing these frameworks will risk them being sidelined as new players such as China and India seek ways to be heard. If we do not adjust our frameworks to allow them to talk, they will come up with other platforms for them to be heard. That gives them the initiative, that gives them the advantage. If the leaders of old want to continue their hold on the initiative, then they need to be the ones initiating the changes to the existing frameworks, to change those frameworks to give new players a voice while continuing to be able to control the overall narrative.
If you are operating a bus service, you need to change your routes to adjust to changes in the neighbourhood. Otherwise, you will find yourself with less and less passengers, while someone else start a new bus route that better serves the new shape of the neighbourhood.
Just like living things evolving to adapt to changes in their environments, our systems need to evolve to adapt to the changing times. Natural selection is not limited to biological systems.
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