The Fragile Foundations of Global Order: Ethics, Justice and the Paradoxical Price of Stability

In an era defined by growing uncertainty, navigating the paradoxical tension between justice and stability has become central to the future of global order. This paper explores the ethical challenges of the liberal international order, arguing that while it provides essential stability, its current structure reinforces neocolonial power dynamics and systemic injustice. As geopolitical shifts continue to undermine the strength of this global order, a transformative approach that effectively reconciles the pursuit of justice with the need for stability is increasingly essential. Through a critical examination of the power imbalances inherent in the current global system, this paper stresses the necessity for an international order that can address the imperatives of justice while also safeguarding the practical requirement of stability. In doing so, it recognizes the interconnectedness of ethics and international relations, offering a vision towards a more just and sustainable global order.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
The Social Contract
Published
2025-09-09
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5206/sc.v17i1.23603
Primary Topic
Global Peace and Security Dynamics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

The Fragile Foundations of Global Order: Ethics, Justice and the Paradoxical Price of Stability

Lily Bilous
The Social Contract
Global Peace and Security Dynamics
article

The Fragile Foundations of Global Order: Ethics, Justice and the Paradoxical Price of Stability

Lily Bilous
article en

Abstract

In an era defined by growing uncertainty, navigating the paradoxical tension between justice and stability has become central to the future of global order. This paper explores the ethical challenges of the liberal international order, arguing that while it provides essential stability, its current structure reinforces neocolonial power dynamics and systemic injustice. As geopolitical shifts continue to undermine the strength of this global order, a transformative approach that effectively reconciles the pursuit of justice with the need for stability is increasingly essential. Through a critical examination of the power imbalances inherent in the current global system, this paper stresses the necessity for an international order that can address the imperatives of justice while also safeguarding the practical requirement of stability. In doing so, it recognizes the interconnectedness of ethics and international relations, offering a vision towards a more just and sustainable global order.

The Social ContractVol. 17(1)
Openalex Percentile: Top 71%
Global Peace and Security Dynamics
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.