"Enhancing Cooperation: Mending the Cracks in the Rules-Based International Order"
Following the end of World War II in 1945, in the San Francisco Conference, fifty nations formed the United Nations (UN) based on the Charter of the United Nations and the Statute of the International Court of Justice. This conference and the adoption of these documents were the first steps towards building a rules-based international order subsequent to the end of World War II.
Rules-based international order (RBIO) is described as a system of relationships between countries in which they adhere to global rules, laws, agreements, and treaties. At the core of the RBIO is cooperation across borders, ensuring that countries—regardless of size— work together on a shared foundation. International institutions such as the United Nations and its bodies play an integral part in preserving RBIO, as they create an open platform for Member States to cooperate on global issues, including climate change, refugees and asylum seekers, poverty, peace, and justice. However, especially in recent years, cracks in the rules-based international order started to intensify with increasing tension between states, leading to a disregard for international norms and a decay in multilateralism.
A major and recent crack in the RBIO occurred after the devastating 9/11 attacks on the United States. Forces led by the US invaded Afghanistan, followed by Iraq, despite the absence of Security Council authorization, which the US needed to conduct military interventions overseas, as per the UN Charter. The unilateral approach by the US challenged the idea of collective decision-making as a part of a rules-based international order, exposing the limitations of the UN in enforcing international law. This set a precedent for Member States bypassing the international order, which not only damaged the credibility of the UN but also created a state of distrust between nations. Countries, therefore, started to act unilaterally with less hesitation.
The ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War has further highlighted these issues. Reports have shown that Russia, disregarding the rules established by the United Nations Charter and invading Ukraine, has committed multiple war crimes and violated humanitarian law. Although an arrest warrant was issued by the International Criminal Court for Vladimir Putin, the decision was not effective, and the war in Ukraine still continues.
Furthermore, the conflict that has emerged in Gaza is continuing to cause thousands of civilians, women, and children to lose their lives, despite the calls for a ceasefire from the UN. Although many investigations have shown that Israel has committed multiple war crimes, the United States is pressuring the ICC to stop issuing arrest warrants against Israeli leaders. While resolving these issues is certainly an intricate subject, many cracks, if mended, would help the globe reach the idealistic rules-based international order. One of these efforts could involve reforming and updating governance institutions, namely the United Nations and Bretton Woods Institutions, in order to expand the extent to which international transparency and accountability laws incentivize nations to uphold such principles; to allow emerging economies and all regional powers to have an equitable voice. As particular nations begin to shift the power dynamics of the world, Less Economically Developed Countries’ voices often get disregarded in the grand scheme. Mechanisms to prevent this would be pertinent.
While we attempt to address previous issues, we must also foresee upcoming crises. In an ever-changing world, it is crucial to recognize and adapt to new challenges engendered by technology along with making use of them. New technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, can be used by United Nations officials to find elaborate solutions and shortcuts to hassles by using an eclectic variety of tools consisting of political simulations, conflict prediction, and language translation. On the other hand, global governance institutions must craft new legislation regarding the ethical use of technology to avert possible scenarios of technological turmoil.
RCIMUN’25 encourages all participants to recognize the cracks in the rule-based international order and to cooperate towards foreseeing and mending them through diplomatic cooperation. In its current precarious state, the world must learn from its mistakes to embark on the journey to a brighter future. States should prioritize world peace and cooperation based on international rules and norms before their national interests. Only then can we achieve the dream of a peaceful and equitable world.
Rules-based international order (RBIO) is described as a system of relationships between countries in which they adhere to global rules, laws, agreements, and treaties. At the core of the RBIO is cooperation across borders, ensuring that countries—regardless of size— work together on a shared foundation. International institutions such as the United Nations and its bodies play an integral part in preserving RBIO, as they create an open platform for Member States to cooperate on global issues, including climate change, refugees and asylum seekers, poverty, peace, and justice. However, especially in recent years, cracks in the rules-based international order started to intensify with increasing tension between states, leading to a disregard for international norms and a decay in multilateralism.
A major and recent crack in the RBIO occurred after the devastating 9/11 attacks on the United States. Forces led by the US invaded Afghanistan, followed by Iraq, despite the absence of Security Council authorization, which the US needed to conduct military interventions overseas, as per the UN Charter. The unilateral approach by the US challenged the idea of collective decision-making as a part of a rules-based international order, exposing the limitations of the UN in enforcing international law. This set a precedent for Member States bypassing the international order, which not only damaged the credibility of the UN but also created a state of distrust between nations. Countries, therefore, started to act unilaterally with less hesitation.
The ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War has further highlighted these issues. Reports have shown that Russia, disregarding the rules established by the United Nations Charter and invading Ukraine, has committed multiple war crimes and violated humanitarian law. Although an arrest warrant was issued by the International Criminal Court for Vladimir Putin, the decision was not effective, and the war in Ukraine still continues.
Furthermore, the conflict that has emerged in Gaza is continuing to cause thousands of civilians, women, and children to lose their lives, despite the calls for a ceasefire from the UN. Although many investigations have shown that Israel has committed multiple war crimes, the United States is pressuring the ICC to stop issuing arrest warrants against Israeli leaders. While resolving these issues is certainly an intricate subject, many cracks, if mended, would help the globe reach the idealistic rules-based international order. One of these efforts could involve reforming and updating governance institutions, namely the United Nations and Bretton Woods Institutions, in order to expand the extent to which international transparency and accountability laws incentivize nations to uphold such principles; to allow emerging economies and all regional powers to have an equitable voice. As particular nations begin to shift the power dynamics of the world, Less Economically Developed Countries’ voices often get disregarded in the grand scheme. Mechanisms to prevent this would be pertinent.
While we attempt to address previous issues, we must also foresee upcoming crises. In an ever-changing world, it is crucial to recognize and adapt to new challenges engendered by technology along with making use of them. New technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, can be used by United Nations officials to find elaborate solutions and shortcuts to hassles by using an eclectic variety of tools consisting of political simulations, conflict prediction, and language translation. On the other hand, global governance institutions must craft new legislation regarding the ethical use of technology to avert possible scenarios of technological turmoil.
RCIMUN’25 encourages all participants to recognize the cracks in the rule-based international order and to cooperate towards foreseeing and mending them through diplomatic cooperation. In its current precarious state, the world must learn from its mistakes to embark on the journey to a brighter future. States should prioritize world peace and cooperation based on international rules and norms before their national interests. Only then can we achieve the dream of a peaceful and equitable world.
Works Cited
“AI Diplomacy: Geo-Politics, Topics and Tools in 2024 | Diplo.” Diplo, 2024, www.diplomacy.edu/topics/ai-and-diplomacy/. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.
Baciu, Cornelia, et al. “The crisis of liberal interventionism and the return of war.” Politics and Governance, vol. 12, 14 Feb. 2024, https://doi.org/10.17645/pag.7865.
Beqiraj, Julinda. “The Rules-Based International Order: Catalyst or Hurdle for International Law?” British Institute of International and Comparative Law, 11 Apr. 2024, www.biicl.org/blog/73/the-rules-based-international-order-catalyst-or-hurdle-for-international-law?cookiesset=1&ts=1726253967.
“Rules of Order: Assessing the State of Global Governance.” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 2023, carnegieendowment.org/research/2023/09/rules-of-order-assessing-the-state-of-global-governance?lang=en. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.
Tiwana, Mandeep. “Fixing the Rules-Based Order: Start with the UN.” Responsible Statecraft, Responsible Statecraft, 19 Mar. 2024, responsiblestatecraft.org/rules-based-international-order/. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.
“UN Membership.” United Nations, United Nations, research.un.org/en/unmembers/founders. Accessed 14 Sept. 2024.
“AI Diplomacy: Geo-Politics, Topics and Tools in 2024 | Diplo.” Diplo, 2024, www.diplomacy.edu/topics/ai-and-diplomacy/. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.
Baciu, Cornelia, et al. “The crisis of liberal interventionism and the return of war.” Politics and Governance, vol. 12, 14 Feb. 2024, https://doi.org/10.17645/pag.7865.
Beqiraj, Julinda. “The Rules-Based International Order: Catalyst or Hurdle for International Law?” British Institute of International and Comparative Law, 11 Apr. 2024, www.biicl.org/blog/73/the-rules-based-international-order-catalyst-or-hurdle-for-international-law?cookiesset=1&ts=1726253967.
“Rules of Order: Assessing the State of Global Governance.” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 2023, carnegieendowment.org/research/2023/09/rules-of-order-assessing-the-state-of-global-governance?lang=en. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.
Tiwana, Mandeep. “Fixing the Rules-Based Order: Start with the UN.” Responsible Statecraft, Responsible Statecraft, 19 Mar. 2024, responsiblestatecraft.org/rules-based-international-order/. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.
“UN Membership.” United Nations, United Nations, research.un.org/en/unmembers/founders. Accessed 14 Sept. 2024.