International Order and Governance

The global order is constantly changing. These changes are driven by developments in the tech sector, as well as shifts in economic, political, military, and demographic power. The US is calling established systems into question. Non-western – and in some cases authoritarian – states are increasingly influencing regional and international structures.

International order and democracy is one of DGAP’s core themes. Through it, DGAP helps answer questions about how Germany and Europe can shape regional and international aspects of the evolving global order in the policy realm. We explore options in the areas of sustainability and climate, digitalization and technology, finance, and the regulation of outer space, as well as which policies will be most effective in strengthening democracy and human rights on a regional and international level.

Recent publications

Nagorno Karabakh: The Rise of Authoritarian “Conflict Resolution”

Azerbaijan took control of its Nagorno-Karabakh region by military action, forcing thousands of Karabakh Armenians to flee their homeland. The development sets a risky precedent for future peaceful conflict resolution in the South Caucasus region. It is also a failure of Western diplomacy. The takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh is a dangerous example of authoritarian “conflict resolution” that undermines the legitimacy of liberal peacemaking efforts. Despite Russia’s relative weakness with its war against Ukraine, it is setting the norms in this conflict – not the EU or US.

Dr. Stefan Meister