Rules-Based Order Dead?

In today’s episode of **What’s going on with BRICS**:**Rules-Based** **Order Dead?****Great Powers** **Ignore Law**If you’re new to the channel, hey, take a moment, subscribe to the channel, then hit the bell to be alerted about new episodes when they drop.Coming to you today from [location to be filled by owner].### What’s in the News1. **What is the “rules-based international order”? Basics for beginners** - Idea born after WWII: Countries follow agreed rules (UN Charter, treaties, trade laws) to avoid chaos. - Led by US and allies – institutions like UN, WTO, ICC enforce norms like sovereignty and no aggression. - Goal: Prevent wars through cooperation and law. 2. **How it worked in the past – post-1945 golden era** - Cold War: Superpowers mostly respected spheres, used proxies instead of direct fights. - Post-1991 unipolar moment: US dominated, expanded NATO, pushed globalization under “rules.” - Seemed strong – trade boomed, conflicts contained through diplomacy. 3. **Evolution in recent years – cracks appear** - 2003 Iraq invasion: US/UK bypassed UN Security Council – first big blow to “rules.” - Russia annexes Crimea (2014), invades Ukraine (2022): Ignores sovereignty norms. - China South China Sea militarization: Rejects UN tribunal ruling. 4. **2025-2026 turning points – Venezuela raid accelerates decline** - US captures Maduro without UN mandate – direct violation of sovereignty. - Western allies mute or silent; no sanctions like against Russia in Ukraine. - Hypocrisy exposed: Same leaders who called Russia “illegal aggressor” now look away. 5. **Great power politics – rules don’t apply to the big players** - Reality: Powerful nations bend or break laws when interests clash (US in Venezuela/Iraq, Russia in Ukraine, China in Taiwan/South China Sea). - UN Security Council paralyzed by vetoes – no enforcement against permanent members. - Smaller states suffer most – rules protect weak only when strong agree. 6. **Why it’s ineffective in great power rivalries** - No global police – enforcement relies on voluntary compliance or coalitions. - Multipolar rise (BRICS) challenges Western-led order with alternative norms (non-interference, development focus). - SCO/BRICS push “indivisible security” – reject unilateral actions. 7. **Current examples of breakdown** - Gaza conflict: Accusations of war crimes, ICC warrants – but no enforcement against key players. - Trade wars: Tariffs ignore WTO rules; everyone retaliates. - Cyber/espionage: Widespread but rarely punished under law. 8. **Future outlook – adaptation or collapse?** - Some say RBO evolving into multipolar framework with competing blocs. - Others: Heading toward “might makes right” – great powers dictate terms. - Smaller nations pivot to BRICS or balance both sides. OK team, so what does all this mean? Well, it means the “rules-based order” is looking more like a suggestion than a rulebook – great powers play by their own playbook, and recent years show it’s crumbling fast when interests clash. Hypocrisy and power win out.1. If the rules only bind the weak while the strong ignore them, is the international order just a fancy name for great power dominance?2. With Venezuela showing US can act without consequence, has the West lost any claim to moral leadership forever?3. In a truly multipolar world, can any universal rules survive – or are we heading back to spheres of influence and raw power politics?🌀 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wgowbrics.substack.com