The world to come: Multipolarity, interdependence, and the challenge of ordering diversity

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According to Charles Kupchan, Professor at Georgetown University and former member of the US National Security Council under the Clinton and Obama Administrations, the world has arrived at an inflection point. Autocratic regimes are becoming more autocratic, while countries long considered stable democracies are backsliding. Increasing disarray in the international system is being fueled by the transition from the industrial to the digital era. In a global system of decentralized power, nonalignment may be the policy of choice for a majority of nations, while great-power competition and multipolarity will make international cooperation harder to come by.

In response to this, the liberal anchor of the international system – the West – needs to tackle internal reconstruction by adapting economic and political practices to the digital age and take the lead to generate new institutions and practices capable of securing international cooperation in a multipolar, polycentric landscape. Will it be able to do so?

Prof. Kupchan's presentation of the grand strategic challenges to come will be discussed by Rebecca Adler-Nissen from the University of Copenhagen and Stefano Guzzini, Senior Researcher at DIIS.

Speakers

Charles A. Kupchan, Professor of International Affairs in the School of Foreign Service and Government Department at Georgetown University, and Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations
At Georgetown University, Charles Kupchan is an academic observer of world affairs, teaching in the School of Foreign Service and Government Department. At the same time and through his work in the US National Security Council under Presidents Clinton and Obama, and as a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, he speaks with the experience of a foreign policy insider and practitioner.

Rebecca Adler-Nissen, Professor at University of Copenhagen

Stefano Guzzini, Senior Researcher at DIIS and Professor at Uppsala University

Programme

09.00-09.10     Welcome and introduction, Stefano Guzzini
09.10-10.00     The World to Come: Multipolarity, Interdependence, and the Challenge of Ordering Diversity, Charles Kupchan
10.00-10.30     Panel discussion, Charles Kupchan, Rebecca Adler-Nissen and Stefano Guzzini
10.30-10.55     Q&A
10.55-11.00     Closing remarks, Stefano Guzzini

Practical information

The seminar will be held in English. Physical participation is free of charge, but registration is required. Please use our online registration form. 

Livestream does not require registration. The video livestream will appear on this page on just before the seminar starts.