What is the Future for Liberal Internationalism ?

The unravelling of the global system of liberal values and norms would pose significant political risks

The future of the global system of liberal values and norms, known more formally as the liberal international order, is currently a much-debated subject of concern in political and academic circles. Such concern has also become a major talking point in the international press, on social media, and on the global news networks. The cause for such recent concern is based on a number of recent events, which seem to suggest liberal internationalism is in trouble. Some might say deep trouble.

The unravelling of liberal internationalism would pose significant political risks for many living in open democratic societies, including businesses that operate overseas and individuals who travel, work, or study internationally.

Since the Second World War, the liberal international order has sought to secure peace and prosperity by organizing international relations cooperatively around open trade, respect for international law, liberal values, collective security, a free and fair press, and most particularly, democracy.