What does the collapsing global order mean for the world beyond the West?
Mar 7, 2025
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Samir Puri, a geopolitics expert and director at Chatham House, discusses the evolving global order post-Western dominance. He highlights the rising influence of non-Western countries, particularly China, and explores the dynamics reshaping international relations. Puri examines the implications of shifting alliances, the impact of BRICS, and the complexity of Taiwan's position in this new landscape. He also reflects on the unpredictability of global politics and Europe's challenges amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The shift towards multipolarity reveals non-Western nations like India actively redefining global power dynamics for their advantage.
China's rising appeal and strategic partnerships with non-Western countries indicate a significant change in geopolitical alliances, challenging Western dominance.
Deep dives
The Rise of Multipolarity and Its Impact on Global Governance
The concept of multipolarity is becoming increasingly relevant as the traditional dominance of Western nations wanes. This shift is exemplified by non-Western countries, like India, embracing a multipolar world that plays to their advantage. The emergence of groups like BRICS demonstrates the growing power and influence of non-Western states, which have built partnerships that don’t rely on formal treaties or organizations but still thrive on shared interests. This changing landscape is reshaping global governance, making it crucial for the West to understand and adapt to these evolving dynamics.
Challenges to the Western Geopolitical Concept
The perception that the West is entering a new era of diminished influence is largely driven by changing relationships with global partners. Dissatisfaction is growing among European nations as the transactional nature of relationships becomes more apparent, particularly under current U.S. leadership. Allies are grappling with whether their partnerships can endure amid shifts in U.S. foreign policy and domestic politics, leading to feelings of betrayal. This evolving landscape illustrates that emotional bonds across the Atlantic may not hold the same significance as before, indicating a fundamental redefinition of alliances.
China's Emerging Role in the Global Order
China's growing attractiveness as a partner to non-Western nations is reshaping geopolitical dynamics in ways the West struggles to comprehend. Countries in Southeast Asia, for instance, often view Chinese technology companies like Huawei favorably, contrasting sharply with the skepticism found in Western nations. This divergence underscores a broader trend where non-Western countries are redefining their relationships independently of Western dictates, leading to increased confidence in pursuing their own interests. As such, understanding China's appeal and the complex motivations of non-Western states is key to navigating the future geopolitical landscape.
Potential for Conflict and the Changing Nature of Global Power
The prospect of conflict between the U.S. and China exists, yet military confrontation is not seen as inevitable, especially regarding Taiwan. China's strategic long-term approach suggests it may seek alternative methods of asserting its influence rather than engaging in direct military action. As tensions rise, the possibility of indirect conflicts through third parties looms, complicating the geopolitical theater. The landscape is fraught with uncertainty, highlighting the need for a nuanced understanding of global relations, which will likely evolve amid shifting powers and interests in the coming years.
Samir Puri of Chatham House is the author of Westlessness, a book about the post-Western world. The book came out last year but the geopolitical setting that he examines is one that is rapidly emerging in front of our eyes, as the chaotic actions of the Trump presidency bring an end to the Western Liberal Order.