EU's commitment to rules-based global order faces challenges from rising power imbalances
Original framing: “EU has a key role to play in the new world order in the making” — South China Morning Post
The article's solemn framing of the EU as a 'neutral' actor conceals its complicity in power imbalances, a paradox ripe for trickster inversion. A trickster reading might highlight how the EU's 'rules-based order' is itself a performative act—enforcing discipline on others while exempting itself (e.g., sanctions regimes that target weaker states but spare allies). The absurdity of claiming moral authority while relying on coercive dependencies exposes the hypocrisy beneath solemnity.
The EU's role in shaping a rules-based international order is constrained by internal divisions and external dependencies, which limit its ability to act as a unified global actor.
A deeper analysis reveals that the EU's vision is rooted in post-WWII Western liberal ideals, which often exclude non-European perspectives and historical realities. By integrating Indigenous and non-Western governance models, promoting Global South collaboration, and reforming multilateral institutions, the EU can move toward a more inclusive and sustainable international order. This requires not only political will but also a commitment to interdisciplinary research and cross-cultural dialogue. Ultimately, the EU's success in this endeavor will depend on its ability to transcend its own historical and geopolitical limitations.