Putting Effectiveness into Multilateralism

Abstract

Multilateralism is something of a mantra for the EU’s external actions; in fact it has been called a defining principle. The ambitions of the EU to uphold this principle are being challenged on multiple levels. The Member States often have strong incentives to protect their representation in international organizations that reflects the post–Second World War status quo and not that of the twenty-first century. It is also under pressure from the emergence of informal meeting venues that more suitably reflect the role and status of the emerging powers. Multilateralism deserves to remain at the core of the EU’s external actions, since the ability to apply and enforce multilateral rules on a broad array of global issues is vital for international order, security and prosperity. But this must be done in a manner that reflects the shifts in power and influence in the international system. This will be inherently more challenging in a complex multipolar international system, but it is one in which the EU should continue to seek support from like-minded partners, as well as press for more rights to be accorded to individuals, rather than to nation states.