Multilateralism:International Institutions And The Leading Power

This paper discusses the concept of multilateralism, its definition, institutional manifestations and functions, and analyzes the contributing factors to the explosion of multilateral institutions in the post-World War II period. Form these discussions, we can observe that the liberal view highlights the restraints placed by multilateral arrangements on state actors and believes the universal application of this binding force to all nations, including the leading power in the international system. Concerning this, my paper conducts a further study on the effectiveness of the binding force that liberalists have claimed for multilateral arrangements, so as to assess the conformity of this liberal assumption with the reality in world politics.By an analysis of the vital supportive role assumed by the United States in achieving and maintaining multilateral institutions, this paper unfolds a probe into the relationship between the institutional form of multilateralism and the leading power, and furthermore carries out a study of two cases wherein how the US responded to the United Nations, the most universal multilateral organization, in specific international events is carefully examined. The fact that the leading power tends to regard multilateralism as a policy instrument and chooses to utilize or repel it in light of its own strategic needs, provocatively suggests that the liberal account allocates too much a role to the binding force of multilateral institutions, thus falling short of being completely reflective of actual world politics situations. There is no denying that, being an institutional form based on generalized principles of conduct, multilateralism has its own independent development and adaptability once established, and to a certain degree can set some limits on the behavior of the leading power. However, an overlook of the element of power will probably lead to underestimating the limitations on the functions of multilateralism.hi a new world pattern featuring interdependence and economic globalization, to maintain the stability of the international system in the hope of maximizing its self-interest, the leading power will find the necessity to espouse multilateralinstitutions so as to address the issues beyond its own capabilities. On the other hand, the adaptability demonstrated by multilateral arrangements and the generalized principles they embody will enable them to better absorb the changes in the international society and cope with the common problems facing humanity. Thus, it is reasonable to anticipate a strengthened role of multilateralism in the future world politics.