Editing Multilateralism (section)

{{short description|Alliance between multiple countries in pursuit of a common goal}}
In [[international relations]], '''multilateralism''' refers to an [[alliance]] of multiple countries pursuing a common goal. Multilateralism is based on the principles of inclusivity, equality, and cooperation, and aims to foster a more peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world.<ref name="b774">{{cite tech report | last=Wijk | first=Rob de | last2=Thompson | first2=Jack | last3=Chavannes | first3=Esther | title=Adjusting the Multilateral System to Safeguard Dutch Interests | year=2020 | jstor=resrep26672.5 | url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep26672.5 | access-date=May 9, 2024 | page=17–33}}</ref> 
[[Middle powers]] play a crucial role in the international system by promoting multilateralism and [[Internationalism (politics)|internationalism]].<ref name="p046">{{cite journal | last=Efstathopoulos | first=Charalampos | title=Global IR and the middle power concept: exploring different paths to agency | journal=Australian Journal of International Affairs | volume=77 | issue=2 | date=March 4, 2023 | issn=1035-7718 | doi=10.1080/10357718.2023.2191925 | pages=213–232| hdl=2160/6266dc76-5168-4a2c-8e33-4bd207139ff0 | hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref name="f298">{{cite book | last=Laurence | first=Marion | title=Oxford Research Encyclopedia of International Studies | chapter=Middle Powers | publisher=Oxford University Press | date=October 18, 2023 |isbn=978-0-19-084662-6 | doi=10.1093/acrefore/9780190846626.013.783 }}</ref>

One of the key advantages of multilateralism is that it enables countries to solve problems that transcend national boundaries, such as climate change, terrorism, and pandemics, through shared responsibility and burden-sharing.<ref name="i412">{{cite book | author=OECD | title=OECD Science, Technology and Innovation Outlook 2021 Times of Crisis and Opportunity: Times of Crisis and Opportunity | publisher=OECD Publishing | year=2021 |isbn=978-92-64-78432-1 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vo0TEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA42 | access-date=May 9, 2024 | page=42}}</ref> However, multilateralism is not without its challenges. The rise of populism, nationalism, and protectionism in some countries has raised concerns about the future of multilateralism and the effectiveness of international cooperation.<ref name="u155">{{cite web | title=The future of multilateralism: three hard facts, three needs and one belief | website=Banque de France | date=October 11, 2023 | url=https://www.banque-france.fr/en/governors-interventions/future-multilateralism-three-hard-facts-three-needs-and-one-belief | access-date=May 9, 2024}}</ref>