multilateralism
Group diplomatic cooperation
Multilateralism is the practice of coordinating policy among three or more nations, typically through international organizations or treaties.
It contrasts with unilateralism (acting alone) and bilateralism (two-party agreements).
The term appears most often in discussions of trade, diplomacy, and security: The postwar order was built on multilateralism, a commitment to multilateral institutions like the UN and WTO.
Critics see multilateralism as slow and constraining; proponents value its legitimacy and shared burden.
Formal union of parties
- coalitionTemporary alliance for action
- partnershipShared business arrangement
- consensusGeneral group agreement
- collective actionOrganized group pursuit
joint · concerted · reciprocal · coordination · pooling · mutual · intergovernmental · interdependence
Supreme independent authority
- hegemonyDominant group's control
- multipolarityMultiple competing power centers
- non-alignmentRefusing superpower allegiance
- world orderArrangement of international power
balance of power · superpower · internationalism · transnational · supranational · geopolitics · spheres of influence · Westphalian
Harmony between parties
- conventionAgreed standard of behavior
- pactFormal agreement between parties
- agreementShared position between parties
- charterFounding organizational document
covenant · compact · ratification · signatories · protocol · compliance · enforcement · amendment
Peak or diplomatic gathering
- ambassadorOfficial foreign representative
- envoyAccredited diplomatic representative
- delegationTransferring responsibility downward
- protocolPrescribed conduct rules
negotiation · consulate · attaché · plenipotentiary · emissary · diplomatic · accreditation · consul-general
International governmental organization
- WTOGlobal commerce regulator
- IMFGlobal economic assistance organization
- G20Top economies' coordination body
- NATOWestern defense organization
ASEAN · EU · G7 · APEC · Commonwealth · African Union · World Bank · WHO
Reducing or eliminating weapons
- non-proliferationLimiting weapons spread
- peacekeepingPreventing or ending conflict
- ceasefireAgreed halt to fighting
- armisticeAgreement to cease hostilities
détente · reconciliation · conflict resolution · coexistence · collective security · sanctions · arms control · demilitarization
Underlying support system
- mechanismMeans by which something operates
- doctrineEstablished body of teachings
- governanceHow authority is exercised
- institutionalismEmphasis on formal structures
regime · convention · mandate · directive · consensus-building · decision-making · veto · unanimity
Coexistence of differing views
- cosmopolitanismBelief in shared humanity
- universalismDoctrine of total reconciliation
- globalismCross-border economic integration doctrine
- internationalismFavoring cooperation among nations
collectivism · idealism · communitarianism · progressivism · egalitarianism · solidarity · human rights · global citizenship
alliance
Formal union of parties
- coalitionTemporary alliance for action
- partnershipShared business arrangement
- consensusGeneral group agreement
collective action · joint · concerted · reciprocal · coordination · pooling · mutual · intergovernmental · interdependence · solidarity
sovereignty
Supreme independent authority
- hegemonyDominant group's control
- multipolarityMultiple competing power centers
- non-alignmentRefusing superpower allegiance
world order · balance of power · superpower · internationalism · transnational · supranational · geopolitics · spheres of influence · Westphalian · post-war order
accord
Harmony between parties
- conventionAgreed standard of behavior
- pactFormal agreement between parties
- agreementShared position between parties
charter · covenant · compact · ratification · signatories · protocol · compliance · enforcement · amendment · annexes
summit
Peak or diplomatic gathering
- ambassadorOfficial foreign representative
- envoyAccredited diplomatic representative
- delegationTransferring responsibility downward
protocol · negotiation · consulate · attaché · plenipotentiary · emissary · diplomatic · accreditation · consul-general · legation
United Nations
International governmental organization
- WTOGlobal commerce regulator
- IMFGlobal economic assistance organization
- G20Top economies' coordination body
NATO · ASEAN · EU · G7 · APEC · Commonwealth · African Union · World Bank · WHO · OECD
disarmament
Reducing or eliminating weapons
- non-proliferationLimiting weapons spread
- peacekeepingPreventing or ending conflict
- ceasefireAgreed halt to fighting
armistice · détente · reconciliation · conflict resolution · coexistence · collective security · sanctions · arms control · demilitarization · confidence-building
framework
Underlying support system
- mechanismMeans by which something operates
- doctrineEstablished body of teachings
- governanceHow authority is exercised
institutionalism · regime · convention · mandate · directive · consensus-building · decision-making · veto · unanimity · opt-out
pluralism
Coexistence of differing views
- cosmopolitanismBelief in shared humanity
- universalismDoctrine of total reconciliation
- globalismCross-border economic integration doctrine
internationalism · collectivism · idealism · communitarianism · progressivism · egalitarianism · solidarity · human rights · global citizenship · common good
- global cooperationUnited Nations, coalitions, peace treaty, peace treaties, summits
- foreign policydiplomacy, diplomatic negotiations, sanctions, containment, deterrence
- Global Politicsforeign affairs, international affairs, global affairs, world politics, foreign relations
- globalizationglobalization, free trade, global village, global trade, multinationals
- international relationsforeign affairs, UN, global politics, sanctions, United Nations
- Global DiplomacyUN, United Nations, embassy, NATO, NATO summit
multilateralismunilateralism
Acting without international cooperation
isolationism · go-it-alone · America First · non-interventionism · autarky
multilateralismisolationism
Policy avoiding foreign alliances
nationalism · protectionism · anti-globalism · national sovereignty · America First
multiple, lateral, bilateral, unilateral, quadrilateral, multilateral, trilateral, unilateralism, multilaterally