Building Global Cooperation

The summit of democracies and the continued use of that framework is limiting our capacity to deal with Russia. I voted for Biden and consider myself a believer in the rules-based international order; in other words, I am a liberal realist. I’ve previously mentioned liberal realism or the belief that although international institutions are anarchical or lack direct authority, they build a society where norms and customs form to sustain order and stability. When thinking about this, it is necessary to emphasize the voluntary nature of all this. Thinking of the voluntary nature puts focus on why carving up the world between democracies and autocracies is a bad idea.

I recently thought back to the Olympics. I thought about how China and Russia stood together and announced their partnership. I also thought about our treatment of Cuba, Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, and many other autocratic regimes and how they have responded. They have been hesitant to join our attempts to pressure Russia and how they have seemingly formed an alternative to our international system, and it makes sense. Our framework of the summit of democracies treats them as adversaries instead of rational state actors pursuing their self-interests. If we want to be able to deal with Russia, we need to make clear how a return to a rules-based order and global stability is in everyone’s interests. We shouldn’t allow unprovoked aggression with the intent to change borders, take land, or change systems stand that includes our own. If we want partners in building and sustaining a rules-based order focused on global security, we need to understand how we use hard and soft power. We have used sanctions, tariffs, and military action to change smaller societies, cultures, and governments of state actors abroad actions, like those build ill will. I’m not saying we should ignore bad state actors, but I oppose unilateral use of our power instead of using international institutions like the United Nations, World Trade Organization, or The International Criminal Court (which we should formally join) as it erodes the norms we want and limit cooperation between nations as they seek alternatives to our systems and alliances.

So what can we do? Stop framing the conflict between democracies and everyone else. Stop all uses of soft and hard power against governments that are not violating international norms and rules. Work with governments in compliance with the UN, WTO, and ICC (along with joining ourselves) and finally work with allies and all responsible actors to isolate irresponsible actors to strengthen international norms and institutions and end global instability. Biden’s focus on a new world order should be one where there is less conflict and more cooperation between nations. If American foreign policy is to change, now is our chance to do it. Biden said he wants to focus on a foreign policy that is understandable for Americans focusing on free trade, free people, and less global conflict. Peace and prosperity should be American foreign policy, and international institutions built with global cooperation can achieve that.