Nowy ład międzynarodowy ‒ ujęcie leksykograficzne

Abstract

International order is an instance of order in the sense of the manner of organisation and functioning of a given society. Thus, it relates to society in its international aspect and encompasses appropriate co-existence (and possibly cooperation) in economic, political, legal, social and cultural matters whose coordination is the basis of relations between states and nations. When understood in this way, order in general is as a rule accompanied by the existence of a functioning moral order. Current sociological and political thinking equates the international order to the political structure that emerged after the Second World War in the context of the system of international relations as a whole. The so-called “Yalta system” was a heterogeneous bipolar arrangement of international relations whose principal drivers and guarantors were two superpowers, the USA and USSR. This system’s continuity was interrupted in 1989 when social processes led to the questioning of its structural and ideological basis. At present we are witnessing the formation of a new international order needed to replace the Yalta political system that has since crumbled. A considerable influence on this process of development is the transformation of Western Europe into the European Community that continues to expand with the addition of new member states. The European model of integrating economic, technical, financial and other spheres of activity is a clear indication of the evolution of a new international order. Similar tendencies can be identified in other parts of the globe, the formation of a common economic zone in the Americas by the USA, Canada and Mexico being an example (N.A.F.T.A. North American Free Trade Agreement). The basis for this new world order is a universal interdependence accompanied by the phenomenon of globalisation that is supported (and even actively encouraged) not only by individual states, but principally by strong international institutions such as the W.T.O. (World Trade Organisation). It is becoming evident that, in the new order, separatist and individualistic attitudes are yielding to contrasting pan-global and pro-global attitudes and positions. It is generally assumed that the ultimate structure will be one of five possible types; nonpolar, unipolar, bipolar, tripolar or multipolar. The aim of the article is a comprehensive treatment of these issues, however the approach is restricted in that its themes are developed from the topic “International Order” (Ład międzynarodowy) as given in the Catholic Encyclopaedia (Encyklopedia Katolicka) published by Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski (Catholic University of Lublin).