Here Lies the Liberal World Order: 1945-2025

 The evolution and decline of the Liberal World Order (LWO) from its post-World War II inception, through its peak in 1989, to its current state in 2026. The author critiques previous optimism about liberalism’s permanence and discusses emerging geopolitical tensions.

• Fukuyama's "End of History" Thesis: In 1989, Francis Fukuyama proposed that liberal democracy represented the ultimate form of government, believing that ideological conflicts had subsided globally. He saw a triumph for Western liberalism, with no viable alternatives remaining.

• Changes in the Global Landscape: The assumption of Liberalism's unquestioned dominance has proven overly optimistic. By 2026, the author argues, the ideological foundation of the LWO seems to be crumbling, as nations like China assert aggressive positions contrary to established international norms, particularly regarding Taiwan.

• International Law's Weakness: The article highlights that "international law," which was expected to regulate state actions in a liberal order, is inconsistent and often ignored by powerful states. For example, Xi Jinping's assertiveness about Taiwan illustrates this erosion of respect for international rules.

• Geopolitical Maneuvering: The article discusses how the U. S. has been openly focused on leveraging its influence in regions like Venezuela for resource control, contrasting this honesty with past pretenses of promoting democracy abroad.

• Future of Global Orders: The author suggests that a shift towards "multipolar realism" is likely, moving away from the idealism of liberalism to a more pragmatic acknowledgment of states acting in their own interests. Realism emphasizes that international politics operates in a competitive environment rather than cooperative idealism.

The Liberal World Order, once considered the final stage of human governance, is facing significant challenges that hint at its decline. The author predicts a move towards a realist approach in international relations, where power dynamics rather than principles of cooperation dominate global interactions. The article provides a critical lens on how international politics is evolving, suggesting that the age of liberal hegemony may be coming to an end. 

https://armageddonprose.substack.com/p/here-lies-the-liberal-world-order