About this Research Topic

Background

Establishing peace is the biggest question of all time. World history is regularly filled by wars and conflicts that inflicted and, sadly, still inflicts huge losses on mankind. The advent of democracy institutionalized rights and freedoms of the people. In the same way, democracy also institutionalized norms and institutions for liberal international order, indicating that the world is safe for democracy. In such an international order, peace can be guaranteed, and the world can become a safe and secure place to live. During the cold war era, power bloc rivalry has been a great challenge for world peace. After the end of the cold war, the world ushered in the era of a multipolar world with US dominance based on the principles and values of liberal international order, which also promoted globalisation and free trade practices. Terrorism, failed, fragile, and weak states, hybrid regimes, environmental issues, ethnic conflicts, migrant crisis, nuclear proliferation, and global pandemic all posed challenges to this order, raising the issue of peace and security in international relations.

With the rise of China in the 21st century and its search for its place in the international arena, the Liberal International Order is being transformed. China’s rise in the international arena has renewed the threat of a cold war between the US and China, which has implications for the existing liberal international order. The Russia-Ukraine war has added another dimension to the present global order, whereby both Asia and Europe are going to be at the center of global politics. China has declared Russia to be the most important strategic partner and the two powers have pledged to maintain strategic focus to promote China – Russia Comprehensive Partnership. China has not condemned Russian invasion on Ukraine, did not vote against Russia in United Nations and continued trade relations with Russia amid the sanctions imposed by international community. The Russia–China axis can be a threat to global peace and security.

Thus the global geo-politics is witnessing a significant change with Russia – China axis coming to the fore of international politics making Asia-Europe as the center of international Politics. The power game among the new and old players of international politics compels us to evaluate its impact on the present international order.

We welcome research papers that focus on various aspects of peace, democracy, and liberal international order in the pandemic era. How the emergence of the China-Russia axis is affecting the present world order is also a significant issue to be discussed. Contributors should take into account, among others, the following sub-themes while addressing their research papers:

• Role of peace and democracy, democratic values in the making of the Liberal International Order;
• The impact of China's rise on Liberal International Order;
• The Impact of the Russia-Ukraine War on Global Politics;
• The emergence of Russia-China Axis and its impact on present international order; and
• Challenges of protecting the Liberal International Order in the post pandemic period.

Keywords: Peace, Democracy, Liberal International Order, Challenges to Liberal International Order

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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