This book offers an important chronological perspective on the evolution of multilateralism within Europe and beyond.

It provides a critical reconstruction of the history of the idea and praxis of peaceful global governance, a comparative analysis of regional multilateral organisations and a discussion about concrete trends and perspectives of a new multilateralism against the challenging context of the current multipolar power politics. Focusing on the changing European interplay with multilateralism - from Eurocentric cradle of civilian cooperation among sovereign imperial states, to political dwarf after the two world wars and decolonisation, and to potential co-leader of a multilayered and multi-actor cooperation within the current multipolar order, it addresses a theoretical "gap" by fuelling the long-recognised idealism v. realism debate over international cooperation and institutionalisation with both historical and new empirical insights.

This book will be of key interest to scholars and students of European studies, global governance, multilateralism, international organisations and more broadly international relations.

About the Author

Mario Telo is Jean Monnet Chair of International Relations at the Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium, and at LUISS, Rome, and a member of the Royal Academy of Sciences, Brussels.

Reviews

"Mario Telo has moved the boundaries of comparative regionalism significantly from its Eurocentric foundation, and through his global network of scholars, challenged traditional views and proposed new ideas and methods to study regional and global governance. This outstanding book captures the depth and breadth of his exceptional scholarship and would be welcomed by scholars and policymakers around the world."

Prof. Amitav Acharya, American University, Washington DC, Emeritus ISA President, USA

"This book is an extraordinary achievement. The range and the erudition is breathtaking. Telo's ability to cover both the history of international relations of the last few hundred years bringing out the tension between national sovereignty and international cooperation in European political thought and practice, combined with a detailed comparative analysis of regional, interregional, global and multilateral forms of cooperation, and a prospectus for the future of the international system is very impressive. the rise of authoritarian states, the internal threats to the democracies, and the major challenges of avoiding nuclear confrontation and dealing with climate change".

Andrew Gamble, Professor of International Relations, Sheffield and Cambridge University, UK

"By this book, Mario Telo recognizes the need to change some long-followed practices. His thesis is that for multilateral cooperation to survive, Europe needs to become also a military power without losing the values of a civilian power that have made it such a force for multilateralism and attempts to solve pressing transnational problems such as climate change. Becoming a military power implies difficult geopolitical choices and tradeoffs, a tougher life than purely civilian multilateralism."

Prof. Robert O. Keohane, Emeritus professor of International Relations, Princeton and emeritus APSA president, USA

"Peace or war? This latest book by Mario Telo on the "European perspective" makes clear that the status quo is not an option in this dangerous world: developing the EU's strategic autonomy; working for enhanced and pluralist participation of regional organisations in global governance and ensuring a more efficient and legitimate form of multilateral cooperation are the urgent alternatives to the dark scenario of growing conflict and war supported by Russia. For these reasons, this book is an outstanding contribution for all citizens who fight everywhere for a sustainable peace."

Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative for the EU for foreign affairs and security policy and Vice-President of the European Commission

Book Information
ISBN 9781032245430
Author Mario Telo
Format Paperback
Page Count 422
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 620g