Journal Article - Quarterly Journal: International Security
Bound to Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Liberal International Order
Summary
The liberal international order that was established after the Cold War and led by the United States was destined to collapse because of its fundamental flaws. Liberal excesses provoked a powerful nationalist backlash, rendering the liberal order a failed enterprise with no future. In the emerging multipolar world, there will be a realist order to manage the world economy, and Chinese-led and U.S.-led bounded orders that will help the two great powers to prosecute their security competition.
For more information on this publication:
Belfer Communications Office
For Academic Citation:
John J. Mearsheimer, “
Bound to Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Liberal International Order,” International Security, Vol. 43, No. 4 (Spring 2019), pp. 7–50, doi.org/10.1162/ISEC_a_00342.
- Recommended
- In the Spotlight
- Most Viewed
Recommended
Audio
- Radio Open Source
JFK in the American Century
Analysis & Opinions
- Foreign Policy
The Realist Case for the Non-Realist Biden
Journal Article
- Quarterly Journal: International Security
Network Connections and the Emergence of the Hub-and-Spokes Alliance System in East Asia
In the Spotlight
Most Viewed
Policy Brief
- Quarterly Journal: International Security
The Future of U.S. Nuclear Policy: The Case for No First Use
Discussion Paper
- Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
Why the United States Should Spread Democracy
Summary
The liberal international order that was established after the Cold War and led by the United States was destined to collapse because of its fundamental flaws. Liberal excesses provoked a powerful nationalist backlash, rendering the liberal order a failed enterprise with no future. In the emerging multipolar world, there will be a realist order to manage the world economy, and Chinese-led and U.S.-led bounded orders that will help the two great powers to prosecute their security competition.
John J. Mearsheimer, “ Bound to Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Liberal International Order,” International Security, Vol. 43, No. 4 (Spring 2019), pp. 7–50, doi.org/10.1162/ISEC_a_00342.
- Recommended
- In the Spotlight
- Most Viewed
Recommended
Audio - Radio Open Source
JFK in the American Century
Analysis & Opinions - Foreign Policy
The Realist Case for the Non-Realist Biden
Journal Article - Quarterly Journal: International Security
Network Connections and the Emergence of the Hub-and-Spokes Alliance System in East Asia
In the Spotlight
Most Viewed
Policy Brief - Quarterly Journal: International Security
The Future of U.S. Nuclear Policy: The Case for No First Use
Discussion Paper - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
Why the United States Should Spread Democracy


