Navigating a Fragmenting World Order: Challenges for the Netherlands

Abstract

This open access book provides a unique and incisive analysis of the shifting dynamics in the international order, exploring a threefold fragmentation—of power centres, geopolitical arenas, and global worldviews. Through the lens of a carefully developed triad framework—focusing on security, prosperity, and values—it equips policymakers with an instrument to navigate the complex and often difficult trade-offs that arise in a world characterized by multipolarisation. While the erosion of the international order is often seen as a challenge from a Western perspective, this book also acknowledges why actors in other regions may perceive it as an opportunity to expand their influence on the global stage. The authors, all affiliated with the Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy (WRR), provide a nuanced assessment of these evolving power shifts and conclude with actionable policy recommendations for effectively engaging with the multipolar world—both by mitigating risks and by seizing new opportunities for cooperation and alliance-building. Essential reading for policymakers in the EU and its member states, this book is equally relevant to scholars, students, and anyone with a keen interest in international relations and global governance.