The Late Westphalian International Order

The international order, denoting in a very general sense the manner of the organization and functioning of the international environment in a given period of time, is a dynamic construction that evolves. The feature of the present stage is a transition from its earlier form called the Westphalian order to the future form with qualitatively new features, sometimes called the post-Westphalian order. This process does however mean that the “parameters” of the Westphalian international order are to be replaced by the parameters of the post-Westphalian order. The qualitatively new features of the organization and functioning of the international environment “coexist” with those characteristic of the Westphalian system of international relations. This “coexistence” determines the distinctive feature of the present stage of international relations, which is a hybridity or combining of solutions, often opposing in their logic, relating to the organization and functioning of the international environment. Hence it seems appropriate to term the present stage of dynamics of and change in international relations as the late Westphalian order.