Multilateral cooperation in a complex world.

 

Multilateral cooperation is inextricably linked to the institution of “multilateralism”. For years, the overwhelming assessment in politics and academia has been that multilateralism is in crisis. Considering the unresolved problems reflected in the low rate of progress in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) in a joint effort, the UN-based multilateralism indeed cannot be called “effective”. Especially SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) will definitely not be met until 2030 (Sachs et al. 2025: 11). The claim that multilateralism has to be effective is based on a functional view of multilateralism: as long as it delivers results, it “works”. Multilateralism “can be defined as the practice of co-ordinating national policies in groups of three or more states, through ad hoc arrangements or by means of institutions”. As John Ruggie pointed out succinctly, this nominal definition does not cover the qualitative dimension of multilateralism that distinguishes it from bilateral or other forms of cooperation. For him, “multilateralism refers to coordinating relations among three or more states in accordance with certain principles”. In addition, besides providing a formal framework for cooperation, there is also a functional aspect, since “[b]y creating an indivisible collective of equal member states that cooperate across issues based on long-term reciprocity and non-discrimination, multilateralism is assumed to promote stability and predictability in international relations” There are strong indications that we can describe the current order as multiplex and that the main driver of this order is the interaction capacity of state actors and non-state actors in the sense that they are able, among other things, to negotiate and formalize cooperation through inter- or transnational agreements. Then, the question arises, how we can sustain the interaction capacity of the actors involved in global policymaking.