Multilateralism in the International Political System: Between Theory and Reality

Abstract

Active multilateralism refers to the process of organizing relations among groups of three or more states. It is not merely dependent on the number of participating actors; rather, multilateralism is generally understood to encompass qualitative elements or principles that define the nature of the arrangement or institution. These principles include the indivisibility of interests among participants, a commitment to reciprocity, and the existence of a dispute settlement mechanism aimed at enforcing a specific pattern of behaviour. Although multilateralism has a long historical background, its emergence is primarily associated with the period following the Second World War, which witnessed a significant expansion of multilateral agreements, largely led by the United States. Organizations in the fields of trade, such as the World Trade Organization, and security, such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), represent some of the most prominent institutions embodying the principle of multilateralism. In addition, numerous multilateral environmental institutions exist, while the United Nations serves as the primary platform for the system of active multilateralism. The European Union also supports this framework, having repeatedly emphasized its commitment to a multilateral system governing international relations and interactions.