Diplomacy and the Future of World Order

Diplomacy in pursuit of peace and security faces severe challenges due to the reemergence of strong states, discord in the UN Security Council, destabilizing transnational nonstate actors, closing space for civil society, and the weakening of the international liberal order. Three potential scenarios for world order are explored in Diplomacy and the Future of World Order, evaluated through regional perspectives and their potential ramifications for major security threats. Emerging types of diplomacy may form the foundation for global peacemaking and conflict management in an uncertain future.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 376 pages
Publication date: 03 May 2021
Publisher: Georgetown University Press

Diplomacy in the pursuit of peace and security faces unprecedented challenges in the modern era. The resurgence of strong states, discord within the United Nations Security Council, the rise of destabilizing transnational non-state actors, the shrinking space for civil society within states, and the weakening of the international liberal order are just a few of the factors that pose significant obstacles to diplomacy. In Diplomacy and the Future of World Order, an international group of experts delves into these challenges and explores three potential scenarios for the future of world order.

The first scenario involves key states opting to go it alone, disregarding the existing international system and pursuing their own interests. This could lead to increased competition, fragmentation, and instability, as states prioritize their own goals over collective security.

The second scenario involves a return to a liberal order, where states cooperate to address common threats and problems through institutions such as the United Nations and other international organizations. This approach seeks to promote stability, predictability, and the rule of law, but it faces challenges in terms of achieving consensus and maintaining effective governance.

The third scenario involves collaboration on a case-by-case basis, where key states work together to address specific threats and problems as they arise. This approach is more flexible and adaptable, but it also requires a high level of trust and cooperation between states, which may be difficult to establish and maintain.

The experts in Diplomacy and the Future of World Order evaluate these three scenarios through the lens of regional perspectives from around the world. They assess their potential ramifications for major security threats, including peacekeeping, nuclear non-proliferation, cyber competition, and terrorism. The editors of the volume, Chester A. Crocker, Fen Osler Hampson, and Pamela Aall, conclude by identifying emerging types of diplomacy that may form the foundation for global peacemaking and conflict management in an uncertain future.

In conclusion, the challenges facing diplomacy in the pursuit of peace and security are complex and multifaceted. The three scenarios presented in Diplomacy and the Future of World Order offer valuable insights into the potential directions that world order may take in the years to come. By considering regional perspectives and security threats, the experts in this volume provide a comprehensive evaluation of the options available to policymakers and diplomats. As we navigate the complex and rapidly changing global landscape, it is essential that we continue to prioritize diplomacy as a tool for building peace, addressing conflicts, and promoting stability.

Weight: 528g
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781647120948