The Erosion of the Contemporary International Order: On the Need for a Reconfiguration of the International System and the United Nations Security Council

Abstract

The international system, established after World War II, is undergoing a profound structural crisis, stemming from the rigidity of its mechanisms and its inability to adapt to emerging global dynamics. The lack of substantial reforms in the UN Security Council has undermined the legitimacy of the current order, while the rise of emerging powers challenges the status quo and creates a power vacuum in several regions. This context has accelerated the shift towards a growing multipolarity, characterized by increased tensions and conflicts, reflecting the transition from the post-Cold War liberal paradigm to a more realistic and structural approach. The article argues that the ineffectiveness of the current international system, coupled with the predominance of national interests over multilateral commitments, calls for a deep reform of the system, particularly regarding the representativeness and functioning of the Security Council, to prevent the collapse of the global order.