Multilateralism

Framing ethical perspectives

Multilateralism refers to a group of nations working together for a common goal. It is at the heart of international relations as nation-states form alliances with like-minded countries to take on global issues, such as climate, emerging technology, inequality, and collective security. Carnegie Council sees multilateralism as essential to generating solutions to global problems and a critical component of an ethical present and future.

Featured Multilateralism Resources

Inclusivity, AI & climate governance, and more

FEB 27, 2024 Video

A Carnegie Council Conversation with the UK Home Secretary

MAR 28, 2024 Video

Unlocking Cooperation: The Global South and Global North

In the inaugural panel of the "Unlocking Cooperation" series, Ramu Damodaran leads a discussion on forging a path forward for Global South/North collaboration.

OCT 18, 2023 Video

Unlocking Cooperation: A Global Ethics Day Special Event

In this keynote event for Global Ethics Day 2023, Carnegie Council President Joel Rosenthal led a conversation on the psychology behind cooperation; ways that states, institutions, ...

Explore Our Multilateralism Resources

NOV 14, 2001 Transcript

The European Union's Foreign Policy: Making a Difference in the World

Chris Patten explains Europe's role in the 21st century and why a multilateralist approach is needed to address "the dark side of globalization."

DEC 5, 1999 Article

Human Rights Dialogue (1994–2005): Series 2, No. 1 (Winter 2000): Human Rights for All? The Problem of the Human Rights Box: Articles: The Credibility Crisis of International Human Rights in the Arab World

International groups should collaborate with the local Arab movement to develop strategies to build the moral standing of human rights among the public and improve ...

JUN 5, 1998 Article

Human Rights Dialogue (1994–2005): Series 1, Number 11 (Summer 1998): Toward a "Social Foreign Policy" with Asia: The Relevance of Social Problems to International Affairs: Bringing Lessons Home: A Perspective from USAID

Ann Van Dusen provides a USAID perspective on foriegn assistance in East Asia while also dealing with the perception back in the U.S. about ...

JUN 5, 1998 Article

Human Rights Dialogue (1994–2005): Series 1, Number 11 (Summer 1998): Toward a "Social Foreign Policy" with Asia: Cultural and Institutional Requisites for a Shared Problems Approach: Does Culture Matter?

Abdullahi A. An-Naím addresses the problem of culture’s relevance. In particular he underscores the notion that globalization is not a power-neutral process.

SEP 5, 1997 Article

Human Rights Dialogue (1994–2005): Series 1, Number 10 (Fall 1997): Efforts, East and West, to Improve Human Rights Assessments: Articles: ESC Rights Assessments at the UN

United Nations system for monitoring implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), is done by the Committee on Economic, Social, ...

SEP 5, 1997 Article

Human Rights Dialogue (1994–2005): Series 1, Number 10 (Fall 1997): Efforts, East and West, to Improve Human Rights Assessments: Articles: Bringing Women's Rights Back into the Human Rights Movement

Jessica Neuwirth would like to bring women's rights to the forefront in the human rights movement as most of the UDHR have a far more ...

JUN 5, 1996 Article

Human Rights Dialogue (1994–2005): Series 1, Number 5 (Summer 1996): Cultural Sources of Human Rights in East Asia: Articles: Building on the Existing International Human Rights Regime

Even as they seek to construct a framework that takes into account non-Western cultures, both Onuma's intercivilizational approach and An-Na im's "cultural mediation" of human ...

MAY 22, 1987 Article

Morgenthau Lectures (1981–2006): The Political Ethics of International Relations

Leading international relations theorist Stanley Hoffmann argues that the greatest danger to ethical thinking in international affairs is "disembodied idealism," i.e., posing ethical solutions ...

MAY 26, 1984 Article

Morgenthau Lectures (1981–2006): Interest and Conscience in Modern Diplomacy

Famed Israeli diplomat Abba Eban examines modern developments that are said to have vitiated the power of modern-day diplomacy, refuting each in turn. He says ...