Reordering the World: Regional Blocs and the Rise of Multipolar Global Governance

The international governance system is undergoing a structural transformation, and this transformation is catalyzed by the rise of regional blocs and institutions that increasingly challenge the traditional dominance of Western-led institutions. This article analyzes the global transition from a unipolar liberal hegemonic order, dominated by Western-led institutions, especially after World War II, toward a multipolar global governance system characterized by the emergence of regional blocs and institutions. It argues that the growing inability of traditional inter-state institutions to address 21st-century challenges, such as climate change, economic inequality, and political multipolarity, which require a common understanding and cooperation, has led to the proliferation of alternative governance structures rooted in regionalism and South-South cooperation. It distinguishes between “regional blocs” as informal cooperative tendency of groupings formed around shared challenges or geographic proximity on the world stage, and “institutions” as formalized organizations with structured rules and long-term governance frameworks. By categorizing institutions, this paper evaluates how regional blocs and institutions are shaping a more inclusive and pluralistic governance architecture globally. Special attention is given to mechanisms associated with the rise of China and the Global South, as well as their implications for the future configuration of global governance. The study concludes that the international system is shifting from an inter-state conflict resolution framework to a global challenge-management paradigm, with multipolar governance at its core.