Willem Buttinger: The end of the rules-based system
The author argues that the rules-based international order established after World War II is dissolving, as major powers increasingly act according to raw national interest rather than shared rules. The erosion of this system is attributed to the West's own actions, including the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the growing weakness of Europe.
The world is quietly dissolving into a new era where major powers act according to raw national interest rather than shared rules. The rules-based international order, established after World War II, has been eroding due to the West's own actions, including the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The absence of a global authority capable of enforcing international law against powerful states has exposed the fragility of the system. Events such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine, growing tension over Taiwan, and conflicts in the Middle East demonstrate this shift. Europe's weakness, including its declining military capability and high welfare spending, further contributes to the instability. The danger of nuclear proliferation also looms large, as countries may conclude that acquiring nuclear weapons is the only reliable guarantee of security.
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