The evolution of the global order: between geopolitical myth and multipolar reality

Abstract

Introduction. The modern world order is a collection of various states with their own interests, cultures, political goals, and ideas, which are increasingly influenced by global politics. This is primarily due to the increasing interdependence of countries and peoples, the expansion of economic, scientific, and technological ties and cooperation between states, the development of interpersonal contacts, and the creation of global information systems. Purpose. The aim of this study is to identify and theoretically comprehend the key factors shaping the transformation of the contemporary world order, followed by an analysis of the trends driving its evolution from a unipolar model toward a multipolar system of international relations. Methods. The study is based on the use of a comprehensive analytical approach and the interpretation of political-historical facts in the context of current international realities, which ensures continuity of scientific analysis and allows tracing causal relationships between past events and present trends. Results. The current world order is undergoing a transition from the unipolar model, which emerged in the post-bipolar period under the dominant influence of the United States and its allies, to a more complex and fragmented multipolar configuration. It is substantiated that the destabilizing actions of the U.S. and several Western countries - including interference in the domestic affairs of other states, the use of double standards, and the instrumentalization of human rights rhetoric - constitute a key factor undermining international stability. The degradation of strategic communication channels among nuclear powers, coupled with the absence of a coherent and inclusive international agenda, increases the risks of conflict escalation. Conclusions. The conducted study allows us to assert that the contemporary global order is undergoing a phase of profound structural transformations driven by the erosion of the unipolar model, the loss of trust in Western institutions, and the emergence of new centers of power on the international stage. Geopolitical hegemony, based on the ideology of exclusivity, sanction mechanisms, and military intervention, is gradually losing its capacity to ensure stability and control over global processes. Against this backdrop, the significance of alternative formats of cooperation, such as BRICS and the SCO, is increasing, alongside the strengthening of integration processes founded on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and political-cultural diversity.