The End of Unilateralist Illusion

While this article raises some useful points, it also falls into a common trap ; that is, it assumes that every country or power sees the world similarly, and that we can all just cooperate. This is a fallacy. Different countries often have very different interests, and while they can agree that certain problems are common to all, they often see the means to addressing those problems rather differently. This will never change, and leads not only to competition and struggle, but also conflict.

The author correctly suggests that the world will become increasingly multipolar as the current century develops. But this is no cause for celebration. Even the most cursory glance at history would remind us that unipolarity is often accompanied by a relative peace, whether it be the age of Pax Britannica in the Victorian era or Pax Americana during the late 1940s and through to the 1970s. It is when the unipolar system collapses that disorder sets in and war breaks out. The era 1914-1945 can only be evidence of that.

And finally, the idea that Russia's current behaviour is due to American activities during the 1990s is pure nonsense. Russia has recovered somewhat from its post-Soviet malaise and is trying to reassert itself in the European Union's neighbourhood and elsewhere. This is what growing powers do. They do not necessarily cooperate, especially when their interests are very opposed to their neighbours' interests (as they are in so many case with Europe). This is why we in the European Union need to be willing and ready to adopt a far more assertive and hard-nosed approach to foreign affairs. In the world system a sound foreign policy is simple : rule or be ruled.

The End of Unilateralist Illusion - commentaires

The End of Unilateralist Illusion