Towards critical multiplexity in International Relations.
Multiplexity is a promising concept in International Relations (IR) to describe the emerging world order. For Amitav Acharya, a multiplex world is a world of complex interconnectedness and interdependence, with cross-cutting international orders and globalisms led by non-western actors. In a multipl...
| Publicado en: | International Affairs Vol. 102; no. 2; pp. 435 - 455 |
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| Autores principales: | , |
| Formato: | Artículo |
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Oxford University Press / USA
Mar2026
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| Acceso en línea: | Ver este registro en EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ssf&AN=192225184&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ssf uiTerm: 192225184 longDbName: Social Sciences Full Text (H.W. Wilson) uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: jinfo: jid: 00205850 INA jtl: International Affairs issn: 00205850 maglogo: N pubinfo: dt: Mar2026 vid: 102 iid: 2 pid: 622 pub: Oxford University Press / USA artinfo: ui: 192225184 10.1093/ia/iiaf276 ppf: 435 ppct: 20 formats: tig: atl: Towards critical multiplexity in International Relations. aug: au: Sundaram, Sasikumar Parmar, Inderjeet affil: City St George's, University of London, London EC1V 0HB UK City St George's, University of London, London EC1V 0HB su: BRICS countries Power (Social sciences) International relations Neoliberalism Developing countries International organization International relations theory Western countries sug: subj: Power (Social sciences) International relations BRICS countries Foreign affairs International Affairs Neoliberalism Developing countries International organization International relations theory Western countries keyword: copyrightHolder:The Royal Institute of International Affairs copyrightYear:2026 critical multiplexity global governance global South politics inLanguage:en International Relations theory publisher:Oxford University Press sameAs:https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiaf276 copyrightHolder:The Royal Institute of International Affairs copyrightYear:2026 critical multiplexity global governance global South politics inLanguage:en International Relations theory publisher:Oxford University Press sameAs:https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiaf276 ab: Multiplexity is a promising concept in International Relations (IR) to describe the emerging world order. For Amitav Acharya, a multiplex world is a world of complex interconnectedness and interdependence, with cross-cutting international orders and globalisms led by non-western actors. In a multiplex world, the West will have 'to negotiate accommodation' with these global South voices and influence 'to salvage aspects of the liberal order'. This article interrogates the theoretical foundations of multiplexity by arguing that its claims of foregrounding the significance of the global South—which is, in turn, democratizing power relations—are problematic. Multiplexity as a concept ends up broadening the basis of oligarchy rather than democratizing power relations and empowering ordinary people. We show how this co-optation dynamic is implicit in the concept of multiplexity, where the deep-rooted commitment to the western neo-liberal ideology remains central. In the post-Second World War context, we use specific empirical examples such as the New International Economic Order, the BRICS and the G20, where the much-trumpeted arrival of a new multiplex world was co-opted by great powers. Ultimately, we call for critical multiplexity. The article synthesizes the insights of Gramscian hegemonic projects and Kautskyian ultra-imperialism, and focuses on the struggles of the people rather than on elite prerogatives. Critical multiplexity is a world that is attentive to the challenges against entrenched political and economic power relations and identity politics, without which multiplexity remains in closer communion with a superficially 'diverse' but still elitist and class-based international order. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: Article src: R language: English refInfo: copyright: @attributes: flag: N holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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