The Global Questions Series - Number 21: Pax Aequalitus Today

A Lack Of Fair Global Systems, And If We Can Find Balance Again?

Contents

1. Introduction

2. The Foundations

3. The World Today

4. Why We’re So Far From Balance and Peace?

5. Can We Find Balance Again?

6. Concluding Remarks

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Bitesize Edition

• The United States emerged as the global hegemon after WWII, with economic leverage through the Marshall Plan and dollar dominance. Institutions like Bretton Woods cemented this system, which continues to shape global finance and trade today.

• But today, we’re seeing some areas of power shifting. The U.S. is no longer unchallenged. China controls key supply chains, and Russia and China push for a multipolar world. Power is increasingly weaponised through sanctions, tariffs, and export restrictions.

• Balance in such a global system is elusive. Structural inequalities, geopolitical competition, and weaponised interdependence keep power concentrated at the top. Cultural narratives and weakened institutions reinforce vertical hierarchies, making a stable horizontal world hard to achieve.

• Nations need resilience, fairer distribution of leverage, and reformed institutions. Regional blocs, proactive checks, decentralized technologies, and trust-building strategies can reduce instability and promote cooperation. Is this something we can achieve? Can we move towards a more horizontal, balanced world, or is a vertical hierarchy an unavoidable destiny?

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Introduction

In last month’s edition of the Global Questions Series, I explored periods in history where the world was more balanced.

In today’s post, I’ll explore the characteristics of our world today, why we seem so far away from this, and if it will be possible to achieve balance again one day in the future.

Also, I’ll explore if it is an inherent characteristic of global system design that flaws will always emerge. If this is true, can we create self-solving mechanisms to counter these inevitable flaws as they emerge, or are we set to experience the rises and collapses of empires for the foreseeable future? Let’s dive in.

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