Global systemic shifts and the rise of multipolarity

The international system is undergoing profound structural changes as the rules-based order established after the Cold War faces significant challenges. The era of unilateralism, historically dominated by the United States, is being contested by emerging powers advocating for a multilateral and multipolar world characterized by normative equality.

China has emerged as a central actor in this transition, competing in international trade and expanding its diplomatic influence. China currently leads in critical technologies and international scientific publications. In response to NATO defining China as a threat, the Chinese state has prioritized defense and the development of dual-use technologies.

Parallel to these geopolitical shifts, there is a perceived resurgence of regressive ideologies. Observers note a return to beliefs in natural inequality, racial and sexual hierarchies, and the perceived futility of democracy among global power sectors. These social tensions mirror historical patterns that previously led to global conflict.