The Disorderly Society

The post-Cold War global order has unravelled. Liberal values and institutions are in full retreat, while authoritarians everywhere are emboldened. International law has given way to the rule of lawlessness. The world is more globalized than ever, but also increasingly fragmented and disorderly. Meanwhile, humanity faces a perfect storm of threats from runaway climate change to escalating geopolitical confrontation. In this trenchant critique, Bobo Lo argues that revitalizing global order is the central task of our time, the key to addressing the realities and demands of the twenty-first century. He proposes a new internationalism, centred on a broad view of self-interest, greater representativeness and inclusiveness, and the acceptance of flexibility and diversity. The world has moved on, and so must its governance.

The post-Cold War global order has unravelled. Liberal values and institutions are in full retreat, while authoritarians everywhere are emboldened. International law has given way to the rule of lawlessness. The world is more globalized than ever, but also increasingly fragmented and disorderly. Meanwhile, humanity faces a perfect storm of threats from runaway climate change to escalating geopolitical confrontation. In this trenchant critique, Bobo Lo argues that revitalizing global order is the central task of our time, the key to addressing the realities and demands of the twenty-first century. He proposes a new internationalism, centred on a broad view of self-interest, greater representativeness and inclusiveness, and the acceptance of flexibility and diversity. The world has moved on, and so must its governance.