The new world disorder
If America pulls back from global institutions, other powers must step forward
SEVENTY-FIVE years ago in San Francisco 50 countries signed the charter that created the United Nations—they left a blank space for Poland, which became the 51st founding member a few months later. In some ways the UN has exceeded expectations. Unlike the League of Nations, set up after the first world war, it has survived. Thanks largely to decolonisation, its membership has grown to 193. There has been no third world war.
This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “The new world disorder”
From the June 20th 2020 edition
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