The Enduring Crisis: Reclaiming the Normative Foundations of Multilateralism

Abstract

Most often, multilateralism’s crisis is essentially treated as a functional failure. In this chapter, we argue that functional crises conceal a more profound predicament: the erosion of multilateralism’s normative bases. Thus, this chapter pursues two main objectives, the first of which is to explore how multilateralism’s normative foundations have been challenged. We identify three sets of factors which erodes the normative fabric of multilateralism: first, disagreements between Westerners and non-Westerners over the content of legal rules, which are worsened by post-colonial memories. Second, the growing appeal of soft law to the detriment of binding conventions. Third, the weakening of international commitments, particularly in strategic matters. Therefore, it is not only the functionality of intergovernmental organizations that is being worn away, but also their normative capabilities to produce regulations that conduct international interactions. The second aim is to suggest ways in which multilateralism’s normative identity can be reclaimed. Specifically, we argue that agents involved in multilateral activities can reinvigorate a “multilateralism way of life”, through relational entrustment, which is likely to yield new practices of representation and accountability.