Imagining Order Amid Disorder

The contemporary field of international relations is marked by intense debate and scrutiny regarding the transformation of the global order. Traditional power structures, once characterized by US-led hegemony or clear bipolarity, are being challenged by the rise of new actors, regional power centers, and complex cooperative arrangements. Recent theoretical developments, such as Krauthammer's multipolarity, Acharya's multiplex world theory, and Huntington’s uni-multipolar concepts, reflect efforts to capture the nuances of this transitional era. Yet, as global events unfold, questions remain about the applicability and predictive power of these frameworks, particularly in light of minilateral configurations, shifting alliances, and persistent institutional uncertainties.

Ongoing research underscores both the persistence and transformation of structural arrangements in world politics. While emerging states increasingly engage in multilateral and minilateral initiatives—such as those within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)—the United States continues to exert influence, often unpredictably, within a partially disordered system. Complicating this landscape are cases of institutional weakening, transactional diplomacy, and new forms of regional assertiveness by middle and great powers. These developments have prompted renewed inquiry into the foundations of global order, the relevance of hegemonic decline, and the roles of strategic agency in a context marked by enhanced complexity and contestation.

This Research Topic aims to advance theoretical understanding and empirical analysis of the shifting structures underpinning the world order. We seek to foster critical engagement with existing paradigms, stimulate debate on the prospects of multipolarity versus bipolarity, and develop practical tools for analyzing the strategies of influential actors. Central questions include: How do evolving theoretical models explain ongoing structural changes? What are the consequences of increased regional agency and minilateral alignments? Can the international system’s trajectory be steered by rising actors or is uncertainty set to deepen?

To gather further insights into the evolving frameworks, actor strategies, and institutional transformations that define the current world order, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Theoretical reconceptualization of global order in light of recent shifts
- Comparative study of multipolar, bipolar, and uni-multipolar scenarios
- The changing role and influence of regional great and middle powers
- Implications of minilateralism and new forms of cooperation
- Strategic agency of established and emerging actors
- The impact of institutional erosion and adaptation on global governance
- Analytical approaches and tools for tracing structural transitions

We encourage submissions that include theoretical analyses, comparative studies, case analyses, original research articles, and critical commentaries.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: global order, multipolarity, minilateralism, regional powers, international institutions, strategic agency

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.