From Unipolar to Multipolar: China's Role in a Shifting World

Abstract

World order refers to complex web of relationships existing between states, international organisations, norms and values, economic system and security arrangements. World orders can be classified as Unipolar, Bipolar and Multipolar. The present paper evaluates the evolution of world order post second world war. The paper underscores how China is challenging the US led liberal order by establishing institutions like Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank (AIIB). China is rapid modernising its army and navy also. Further, it is focussing also on increasing its soft power.

World order is the term given to a complex concept of international relations: the global power, authority, and norms arrangement that shape international relations. World order refers to the rules, institutions, and practices that govern relations between states and other actors in the world stage (Fukuyama, 2017). It mainly focuses on building stability, security, and cooperation among nations in the context of globalization while seeking solutions to poverty, inequality, climate change, and terrorism among others.

According to Henry Kissinger's US diplomat and scholar, have extensively defined World order in his important book, "World Order,". According to him it refers to "the idea held by a region or civilization about the nature of just arrangements and the distribution of power thought to be applicable to the entire the world (Boyle, 2015).” According to Kissinger, the historical and cultural dimensions constitute world order. He submits that it comes into existence based on the values, beliefs, and aspirations of various societies. He identifies four historical models of the world order (Kissinger, 2015).