At the Australian Institute of International Affairs QLD’s recent seminar discussing his new book, ‘The Once and Future World Order: Why Global Civilization Will Survive the Decline of the West’, Amitav Acharya presented his rethinking of global history and the future of international world order. Drawing on more than 5,000 years of world history, Acharya challenged the idea that the modern international system is primarily a Western creation, arguing instead that world order has always been shaped through the contributions of multiple civilizations across Asia, Africa, the Islamic world, Europe, and the Americas.
At the center of Acharya’s argument was the notion of ‘shared co-creation’. This encompasses the notion that key elements of global governance and world order – from diplomacy, peace treaties, state sovereignty, humanitarian principles, to free trade systems – emerged from multiple civilizations working together, not from one single civilization.
Among several examples cited were the first recorded boundary agreement between Sumerian city-states around 2500 BC, the 1259 BC peace treaty between Egypt and the Hittites, and the highly sophisticated maritime trade systems of the Indian Ocean. He also highlighted humanitarian principles found in the ancient Indian Code of Manu, which protected surrendered soldiers and civilians, as well as the role of Islamic scholars such as Ibn Rushd in expanding on rational philosophic inquiry and later influenced European scientific thought.
His insights not only provide a fresh analysis of global history and its impact on today’s political world, but also signify an opportunity to reframe how we understand world order and how we intend to foster it. Core to his argument is that every civilization has contributed to – or negatively impacted – world order, but by comprehensively understanding history and building on peaceful elements found across all societies, governments and policymakers can create a more equitable, sustainable world order.
Furthermore, Acharya proposed the idea of a ‘multiplex’ world, rather than a multipolar world, where peace is “divisible, not universal”. He explained that while some regions will be peaceful, others violent. According to his analysis, Southeast Asia and Southern Latin America may remain relatively peaceful, while the Middle East and Northeast Asia face continued instability, and western Europe will likely remain a security community despite Russian concerns. He highlighted the role of organisations such as ASEAN and the African Union as examples of regional peacebuilding efforts that could become increasingly important.
Reflecting on current geopolitical developments, including the second Trump presidency and growing scepticism toward globalisation, Acharya suggested that the US-led liberal order is beginning to erode. This is, according to him, the end of 400 years of Western dominance. Acharya argued that these unfolding shifts in global hegemonic powers present an opportunity for a more inclusive world order. He encouraged countries such as Australia to move beyond the West-versus-non-West framework of thinking, and instead prioritise being leaders in forging strong ties between nations across the world.
Ultimately, Acharya’s seminar called for a broader, more in depth understanding of history, and a more nuanced analysis of how this understanding shapes our global political thought and actions. He highlighted that it is imperative we recognise the contributions, complexities, and shared humanity of all civilizations, especially those outside of the West, in shaping world order.
By Rhoen Kennedy
