The post-World War II international system—commonly referred to as the Liberal International Order—was defined by American hegemony, open markets, security alliances, and Western-led multilateral institutions like the UN, IMF, and World Bank. Today, structural shifts in global power, the rise of non-Western states, and a domestic American retreat toward isolationism and protectionism have dismantled this arrangement. The world is not reverting to a simple "multipolar" Cold War-style rivalry; instead, it has become a complex, highly interdependent network of overlapping regional powers and non-state actors. 🔑 Key Drivers of the Decline 1. Structural Shifts in Global Power
Both domestic political shifts in the U.S. and external frustrations have delegitimized traditional multilateral organizations. Amitav Acharya: The End of American World Order - IISS The End of American World Order
, transitioning from a unipolar landscape into a decentralized, "multiplex" world. While the United States remains a formidable military and economic power, its ability to unilaterally dictate global rules, norms, and institutional frameworks has systematically eroded. 📊 Executive Summary 🔑 Key Drivers of the Decline 1
