A Polycentric Global Order Could Keep Peace Amid Shifting Power

The piece explains how automation, free trade and the transition to a digital economy have hollowed out the liberal international order that the West once led. As power spreads across more states, the author says the world needs a governance model that combines bottom-up regional cooperation with top-down coordination. He outlines a “global concert” of the six major powers—China, the European Union, India, Japan, Russia and the United States—augmented by representatives from ASEAN, the Arab League, the African Union and the Organization of American States.

This body would meet continuously, set up specialized subconcerts for crises such as Ukraine, Iran or climate change, and work alongside the United Nations to steer collective action. Regional organizations would retain authority over local matters, while the concert would manage cross-regional disputes and prevent great-power rivalry from spiraling. The proposal seeks to create a flexible, inclusive framework that can adapt to the diverse cultural and political landscapes of a truly multipolar world.