Introduction

Abstract

Abstract The introduction is divided into three sections. Section I presents a brief history of the rules-based international order. It shows that—between 1945 and the first decade of the twenty-first century—the international system evolved from a primarily sovereignty-based order to a much more rules-based order. However, since about 2008, we have witnessed significant backsliding toward a more sovereignty-based order, especially in the areas of international trade and international human rights law. Section II briefly surveys the major, current threats to the rules-based international order. Finally, section III outlines a potential strategy to mitigate those threats in the interest of preserving a rules-based international order that is consistent with liberal, humanitarian values. The book as a whole generally supports the conclusion that the rules-based international order confronts significant challenges, but it is not unraveling—at least, not yet. Climate change is the biggest wild card in trying to predict the future. If the world’s major powers—especially the United States and China—cooperate with each other to combat climate change, then other threats to the rules-based order should be manageable. If the world’s major powers fail to address the climate crisis by 2040 or 2050, the other threats addressed in this volume may come to be seen as trivial in comparison.