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Contestations of the Liberal International Order: From Liberal Multilateralism to Postnational Liberalism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 February 2021

Tanja A. Börzel Open the ORCID record for Tanja A. Börzel [Opens in a new window]  and
Michael Zürn Open the ORCID record for Michael Zürn [Opens in a new window]
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Abstract

The 1990s saw a systemic shift from the liberal post–World War II international order of liberal multilateralism (LIO I) to a post–Cold War international order of postnational liberalism (LIO II). LIO II has not been only rule-based but has openly pursued a liberal social purpose with a significant amount of authority beyond the nation-state. While postnational liberal institutions helped increase overall well-being globally, they were criticized for using double standards and institutionalizing state inequality. We argue that these institutional features of the postnational LIO II led to legitimation problems, which explain both the current wave of contestations and the strategies chosen by different contestants. We develop our argument first by mapping the growing liberal intrusiveness of international institutions. Second, we demonstrate the increased level and variety of contestations in international security and international refugee law. We show that increased liberal intrusiveness has led to a variety of contestation strategies, the choice of which is affected by the preference of a contestant regarding postnational liberalism and its power within the contested institution.

Keywords

Liberal international orderliberal multilateralismpostnational liberalismcontestationUnited Nations Security CouncilResponsibility to ProtectInternational Criminal CourtEuropean UnionInternational Refugee LawEuropean migration crisis
Type
Internal Challenges to the Liberal International Order: Political
Information
International Organization , Volume 75 , Special Issue 2: Challenges to the Liberal International Order: International Organization at 75 , Spring 2021 , pp. 282 - 305
Copyright
Copyright © The IO Foundation 2021

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Börzel and Zürn Dataset

Dataset https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/WEYEUM
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