What will the new world order look like? Fractures Session 1

About this Video

• Video Title: What will the new world order look like? Fractures Session 1
• Channel: Transnational Institute
• Speakers: Sean Macheza, Aziz Rana, Achin Vanaik, Ho-fung Hung, Luciana Vioto, Nick Buckton, Jess (Zoom Moderator), Tyler Jenner
• Duration: 01:30:12

Introduction

This video is the first session of an eight-week series called "Fractures," hosted by the Transnational Institute. The session focuses on the changing global order, specifically addressing the impact of the United States' turn towards reactionary nationalism and its implications for international politics and the Global South. The panelists discuss the fracturing of the neoliberal global order and explore potential pathways for progressive change.

Key Takeaways

• The US turn towards reactionary nationalism is a global phenomenon: This shift isn't isolated to the US but reflects broader trends in neoliberal economics and their impact on democratic rights and global inequality.
• The crisis of the neoliberal order is creating opportunities and challenges: While deeply concerning, the breakdown of the old order presents opportunities for progressive change, particularly for the left to offer alternative solutions.
• US imperialism's impact on international politics is significant: The US, as a dominant global power, has played a major role in shaping the international system. The current shift towards reactionary nationalism represents a potential break with the mid-20th-century imperial project, potentially reverting to a more explicitly ethno-nationalist vision.
• China's economic rise is a key factor in the current geopolitical moment: China's economic ascendancy and its competition with US capital are fundamental to the US-China conflict. This competition is not primarily ideological but rooted in economic interests.
• The Global South's response is complex and not necessarily unified: The Global South is not a monolithic entity. While there's talk of multipolarity, many countries are maneuvering between major powers, pursuing their own interests, which may not align with a collective progressive agenda. Progressive change will likely require grassroots mobilization at the national level, building towards transnational collaboration.