Description
What values guide multilateral cooperation in international politics? Scholars and policymakers have argued that multilateralism may be “in a state of crisis." This has prompted a re-evaluation of the core values which underpin the doctrine, part of a growing discussion on the role of morals in foreign policy. This article explores the characteristic values of multilateralism. In contrast to functionalist perspectives we argue that, while multilateralism can manifest institutionally in myriad ways, it has a set of important unifying and non-instrumental values. Building on John Ruggie’s conceptualization, we identify and discuss three values associated with multilateralism: a spirit of collectivity, inclusivity over exclusivity, and negotiated governance. Given these values, we examine some of the implications of multilateralism for world politics, with a particular focus on how multilateralism can help to address conflicting preferences between states.
