As the fragility of the world order continues

The article looks deeply into the fragility of the world order in 2025, tracing its roots to systemic failures and contrasting it with the Westphalian order of 1648. While the Westphalian framework emerged amidst limited technology and population, today’s global system is marked by interconnectedness, advanced technologies, and an eight-billion-strong population. Despite numerous international organizations like the UN, NATO, and BRICS, the world remains plagued by wars, terrorism, environmental crises, and a lack of effective global leadership. The conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and other regions highlight the inability of major powers to maintain peace. Furthermore, internal polarization and populism exacerbate global instability, while the unchecked arms race and military expenditures further fuel tensions. The failure of global institutions to assert authority underscores the urgent need for consensus among global powers.

The writer suggests that stability can only be achieved through an inclusive approach that integrates middle powers like Turkey, Pakistan, and South Africa. However, the dominance of powerful nations and the lack of efforts to curb arms races hinder progress. The $2.2 trillion global military expenditure reflects misplaced priorities, while genocides, forced migrations, and environmental catastrophes remain unresolved. The article concludes that democracy, human rights, equitable resource distribution, and good governance are prerequisites for a stable and just world order. Without addressing these systemic issues, the fragility of the global system will persist, leaving humanity vulnerable to escalating crises.

Overview:

The article provides a critical analysis of the structural weaknesses in the modern world order, emphasizing the need for global consensus, inclusive leadership, and a shift in priorities from militarization to addressing humanitarian and environmental challenges.

NOTES:

The article emphasizes the fragility of the modern world order, highlighting its systemic flaws and the inability of international organizations like the UN, NATO, and BRICS to resolve global conflicts. It contrasts the Westphalian order of 1648 with the 2025 global system, focusing on advanced technologies, interconnected economies, and a population of 8 billion. The discussion includes the role of middle powers such as Turkey, Pakistan, and South Africa, which are often sidelined despite their potential to stabilize global affairs. Key themes include the unchecked arms race, with global military expenditure reaching $2.2 trillion, and the failure to address humanitarian and environmental challenges. Solutions such as inclusive governance, equitable resource distribution, and enhanced collaboration among nations are proposed as essential for achieving global stability. These insights are vital for understanding contemporary international relations and global power dynamics.

Relevant CSS Syllabus Topics:

• International Relations: Global power dynamics and world order.
• Current Affairs: Geopolitical conflicts and their implications.
• Pakistan Affairs: Role of Pakistan as a middle power in global diplomacy.
• Environmental Science: Climate change and resource distribution issues.

Notes for Beginners:

The article explores the concept of world order, which refers to how countries interact to maintain global peace and stability. For instance, the Westphalian order, established in 1648, marked the beginning of modern diplomacy, while today’s world order is more complex due to technological advancements and a larger global population. Middle powers like Pakistan and Turkey play a pivotal role in balancing power but often face challenges due to dominance by superpowers like the US and China. The term “arms race” refers to competition among nations to build more weapons, such as the Cold War between the US and the USSR. Additionally, global institutions like NATO and the UN were created to manage conflicts, yet they often fall short due to a lack of unity among member states. Understanding these dynamics is essential to grasp how the world functions and why conflicts persist.

Facts and Figures:

• Global military expenditure reached $2.2 trillion in 2024, with the US spending $920 billion.
• Over 46,000 Palestinians were killed in Gaza from October 7, 2023.
• The global population has surged from 500 million in 1648 to 8 billion in 2025.

To wrap up, This article underscores the urgent need for a paradigm shift in global leadership and priorities. The fragility of the current world order is a warning sign, urging nations to replace rivalry with collaboration, militarization with peace efforts, and inequality with justice. Only then can humanity hope for a stable, inclusive, and peaceful future.

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