Introduction

The post-World War II international system, built upon multilateralism and anchored in institutions such as the United Nations (UN), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Trade Organization (WTO), is now facing a crisis of legitimacy and functionality. This rules-based order, once a pillar of global cooperation and collective progress, is rapidly losing relevance. The rise of disinformation, an increasing tilt toward unilateral actions, and a growing deficit of trust among nations are severely weakening the ability of these institutions to function as effective platforms for international coordination.

The Decline of Global Institutions

·       The weakening of key global institutions is among the most visible signs of the eroding international order.

·       The United Nations, once the principal arena for global diplomacy, now finds itself relegated to an advisory role. Despite its expansive mandate, the UN often lacks the authority or political consensus to enforce resolutions or mediate effectively in major global conflicts. This diminished capacity has led to questions about its relevance in a rapidly polarising world.

·       The World Health Organization, once seen as the central body in managing global health crises, suffered a major blow to its credibility during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its delayed response and perceived deference to certain member states in the early stages of the outbreak significantly undermined public trust in its leadership and effectiveness. The fallout from this crisis exposed not only structural weaknesses but also the vulnerability of health governance to geopolitical pressures.

·       Meanwhile, the World Trade Organization has effectively become paralysed. In 2019, the United States blocked appointments to the WTO’s Appellate Body, rendering its dispute resolution system non-functional. Without a working judicial mechanism, the WTO has lost its ability to enforce trade rules, raising the spectre of uncontrolled tariff wars, economic fragmentation, and a weakened framework for global commerce.

·       Adding to this institutional decay is the open defiance of international law, where world leaders increasingly ignore or dismiss rulings by bodies such as the International Criminal Court (ICC). This disregard signals a broader erosion of global accountability and emboldens actors who choose to act outside established legal norms.

The Disinformation Crisis and Breakdown of Transparency

·       The digital age has brought with it not just rapid information exchange but also unprecedented vulnerability to disinformation campaigns. Both state and non-state actors now weaponise misinformation to destabilise trust in international institutions and undermine multilateral initiatives. One illustrative example is the spread of false narratives regarding U.S. disengagement from polio eradication efforts, which have been exploited to fuel scepticism and resistance in targeted regions.

·       This information warfare has had tangible consequences on global public health. In countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan, polio eradication campaigns have encountered significant pushback, as misinformation and conspiracy theories frame these initiatives as tools of imperial control. This not only disrupts local health efforts but also endangers decades of global progress in disease elimination.

Geopolitical Tensions and Security Fragility

·       The weakening of multilateral frameworks has also led to a resurgence of protectionist policies, particularly in trade. With the WTO''s dispute resolution mechanism inactive, countries have begun to employ tariffs as instruments of geopolitical strategy. This shift risks fragmenting global supply chains and creating long-term disruptions in the world economy, especially for developing countries dependent on open trade.

·       Equally alarming is the growing unpredictability in nuclear deterrence. During the Cold War, treaties and diplomatic conventions provided a degree of predictability and restraint among nuclear powers. Today, however, the casual disregard for nuclear arms control agreements threatens to turn regional confrontations into full-scale international crises. The absence of dialogue and consensus on arms limitation increases the danger of escalation and miscalculation.

The Collapse of Collective Problem-Solving

·       At the heart of the current global crisis lies the erosion of shared problem-solving mechanisms. Once seen as a beacon of global solidarity, the polio eradication programme now exemplifies the consequences of fractured cooperation. The unraveling of multinational health efforts due to nationalistic withdrawal illustrates how the abandonment of common platforms can reverse long-standing gains.

·       The post-war institutions, designed to advance common goals through collective responsibility, are losing their foundational relevance as countries increasingly act in isolation. This unilateralism undermines the very fabric of global cooperation and risks driving the international system toward chronic instability.

The Uncertain Future of the Rules-Based Order

·       As more nations lose faith in international treaties, disarmament efforts, free trade systems, and health coordination frameworks, the world is inching toward a potential collapse of the rules-based order. The decline in trust and accountability suggests that the global community may soon find itself in a fragmented landscape defined by competing blocs, rising conflict, and institutional irrelevance.

·       Yet, amidst this bleak outlook, there remains hope for revival through reform. Revamping the WTO’s appellate body and updating trade norms to reflect digital economies and climate-linked trade priorities can restore its credibility. Similarly, meaningful reforms to the UN system, including expanding the Security Council and enhancing transparency, could breathe new life into global governance. Such reforms, however, require not just procedural change but a renewed commitment to multilateralism.

The Path Forward

·       To reverse the trend of institutional decay and geopolitical fragmentation, the global community must take deliberate steps to restore faith in collective governance.

·       The United Nations needs structural reforms to improve both its decision-making capacity and its perceived legitimacy. This includes reforming the Security Council, addressing representation gaps, and ensuring faster responses to crises.

·       The WTO must be revitalised by restarting its appellate mechanism and modernising trade rules to accommodate emerging global challenges such as digital commerce, data sovereignty, and environmentally sustainable trade practices.

·       Nations must reaffirm their commitment to existing multilateral frameworks—respecting rulings from the ICC, honouring nuclear treaties, and upholding international agreements. This return to principle-based diplomacy is essential to restoring predictability and cooperation.

·       Strengthening regional alliances such as ASEAN, the African Union, and the European Union can offer scalable models for global problem-solving. These blocs, more agile and often less polarised than global institutions, can experiment with solutions that may later be adopted on a broader scale.

·       Crucially, emerging powers like India, Brazil, and South Africa must be fully integrated into the core of global decision-making. Their participation is vital not only for legitimacy but also for ensuring a more balanced and inclusive global governance structure.

Conclusion

·       The weakening of global institutions represents not just a political or procedural failure but a deeper crisis of multilateralism and collective will. In a world facing transnational challenges—from pandemics and climate change to cybersecurity and nuclear risk—no nation can afford to act alone. The erosion of trust, growing unilateralism, and weaponisation of disinformation are eroding the core of the rules-based world order.

·       To prevent its total collapse, there must be a concerted global effort to reform institutions, re-establish transparency, and reaffirm shared commitments. Only through collective, inclusive, and principle-based action can the world effectively address the common threats of our time and reclaim the promise of global cooperation.