Global Politics & Economics

Global politics is undergoing transformation. The liberal international order, dominated by the West led by the US, is in apparent decline. Multilateral institutions, free trade, and the notion of democracy are all being questioned. Emerging powers, prominently China, are playing a fuller role in the world arena. In recent years, the escalation of US-China rivalry has stimulated debate and concern about  a new Cold War.

While globalization faces resistance from some countries, groups, and sectors, it is not over but takes different forms. One model of multilateral cooperation is to divide the global agenda into elements where agreement is potentially available without disputes about the underlying principles. Another model is the cooperation among like-minded countries, and evidence for which is seen in the OECD, G7 and the Quad Group. Some see the global order less driven by trade and more by the interest of many nations in development led by the East rather than the West. Another variation places emphasis on ideas and ideologies and the fragmentation of the international order that results.

This research cluster focuses on new developments and models of global governance, as well as the rising powers, especially China, and the changing international order.