Towards a post-hegemonic world: The multipolar threat to the multilateral order

Multipolarity, understood as a global redistribution of power among an increasing number of actors, will not necessarily lead to a strengthening of a multilateral, cooperative order. In fact, the opposite is now occurring. If anything, multipolarity is placing multilateralism on an ever more precarious footing. Thus while emerging powers will increasingly contest Western hegemony, they will not want nor be able to replace it. This would constitute transition without hegemony the very definition of multipolarity.