다자주의의 위기와 국제법에 대한 함의

초록

Since the Westphalian system was established in 1648, international law and multilateralism have developed in close connection. International law seeks to address the challenges facing the international community, and state cooperation is essential to that goal. The power created through cooperation should prevent violations of international law and advance the common good of all states. In this sense, multilateralism plays a crucial role in maintaining international order and ensuring that international law functions effectively. Today, multilateralism faces a serious crisis that weakens the effectiveness of international law. The spread of Superpowers’ unilateralism, new geopolitical rivalries, and the rise of populism and sovereignism have left multilateralism paralyzed, while international organizations are no longer functioning as effectively as intended. Yet, focusing solely on these phenomena provides an incomplete understanding of what the current crisis of multilateralism means for international law. Does the crisis of multilateralism amount to a crisis of international law itself? What opportunities, if any, might this decline present for the development of international law? Should international law reconsider and transform its traditional attitude toward multilateralism? Within the realities of power politics, does international law possess the structural capacity to reinvigorate and sustain multilateralism? And finally, what alternative frameworks might be envisioned to replace or supplement the existing multilateral order? These questions call for a thorough legal examination of the relationship between international law and multilateralism. Exploring the implications of the current crisis may offer a deeper understanding of the normative resilience and adaptability of international law in a shifting global landscape.

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