Webster Professors Co-Author Textbook on Global Governance Amidst Changing World Order

By Global Policy Horizons Lab Staff

In an era of shifting geopolitical dynamics, rising authoritarian influence and mounting global crises, Webster University professors Dr. Kelly-Kate Pease and Dr. Dani Belo have co-authored a timely new edition of “International Organizations: Perspectives on Global Governance.” 

Published by Routledge, the textbook provides a critical examination of the role that international organizations play in shaping global governance, particularly at a time when the post-Cold War order is facing unprecedented challenges.

The book, designed for undergraduate and graduate students, brings together theoretical perspectives, historical developments and contemporary case studies to assess how international organizations function - and where they struggle - in addressing today’s most pressing security, economic and humanitarian challenges.

A Global Order in Crisis

With the war in Ukraine, increasing tensions between the U.S., China and other global powers, the resurgence of nationalist movements and the rise of digital authoritarianism, global governance is at a crossroads. Institutions like the United Nations, NATO, the European Union and the International Monetary Fund are navigating a landscape in which cooperation is more difficult, while states and non-state actors alike seek to challenge existing rules.

Pease, Professor of International Relations at Webster University, emphasized how the book explores the shifting nature of power and influence in the international system.

"The system is always in flux as different states, world views and values compete for public support,” Pease said. “The world order, in place since 1945, has been successfully challenged and is no longer ascendant.” 

The textbook provides students with an understanding of competing perspectives on international governance, including liberal institutionalism, realism, constructivism and critical theories. Pease noted that these approaches offer different interpretations of why some institutions endure while others decline.

“These perspectives also inform and are used to construct narratives by those who wish to build public support for policies that have been quite different than policies advanced in the past,” she added.

The Rise of Populism and Its Impact on Global Governance

“International Organizations: Perspectives on Global Governance” examines not only authoritarian influence, but also how the rise of populism is reshaping the global system. Over the past decade, populist leaders across Europe, Latin America and the United States have increasingly challenged international cooperation, multilateralism and global governance institutions, arguing that these structures fail to serve the interests of "the people."

According to Belo, Assistant Professor of International Relations at Webster University and Director of the Global Policy Horizons Lab, this shift has had profound implications for institutions like the United Nations, the European Union and even NATO, which rely on consensus-building and long-term cooperation.

"Populist movements often frame international organizations as out-of-touch elites who impose rules that undermine national sovereignty," Belo said. "We explore how this narrative has fueled skepticism toward international institutions and led to policies that weaken global cooperation — from Brexit and trade wars to challenges and the legitimacy of the International Criminal Court."

The book delves into case studies, including the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, shifting foreign policy, the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria and Hungary’s resistance to EU policies under Viktor Orbán, illustrating how populist rhetoric translates into tangible shifts in global governance.

Belo highlighted how populist movements not only disrupt international organizations but also create opportunities for authoritarian regimes to exploit divisions within democratic societies.

"Populism is not just about rejecting international institutions - it’s about redefining them," Belo said. "Authoritarian leaders often seek to align themselves with populist movements in democratic states, amplifying narratives that weaken trust in multilateral institutions and in some cases, even promote alternative governance structures."

The book’s discussion of populism also extends beyond traditional state actors to explore the role of social movements, media disinformation campaigns and populist leaders' use of digital platforms in shaping international cooperation.

"Today, we see populist leaders using social media to circumvent traditional diplomatic channels, rally domestic support and disrupt international consensus," Belo said. "This creates a volatile global environment where institutions struggle to enforce norms when major powers no longer see them as legitimate arbiters."

Rising Authoritarian Influence and the Battle Over International Institutions

In his research, Belo focuses on how authoritarian regimes - particularly Russia and China - are using international organizations in ways that challenge Western-led governance structures.

"We tend to think of international institutions as neutral arbiters of global governance, but in reality, they are also arenas for great power competition," Belo said. "Russia, China and other authoritarian regimes are actively working to undermine existing structures, either by co-opting them from within or by creating parallel institutions that serve their strategic interests."

Belo’s research into hybrid warfare and gray-zone conflicts provides a unique angle to the book’s discussions on security and sovereignty. He argues that while NATO and the UN have historically acted as stabilizing forces, these institutions now face crises of legitimacy as they struggle to enforce norms in an era of rising revisionist powers.

"The war in Ukraine is a perfect example of how international organizations are tested when a major power simply refuses to abide by international norms," Belo explained. "The United Nations has largely been ineffective in stopping the conflict and we explore why mechanisms designed to uphold international law and peace often fail in the face of strategic defiance."

Bridging Theory and Practice: Case Studies and Policy Implications

One of the book’s strengths is its integration of concrete case studies that allow students to apply theoretical concepts to real-world challenges. From the Paris Climate Agreement to regional security issues, Pease and Belo provide a broad scope of examples to illustrate how governance mechanisms function under different political and economic conditions.

Additionally, the textbook explores non-state actors, such as multinational corporations, NGOs and civil society movements, which have become increasingly important in shaping global governance.

"Governance today is no longer just about states. Corporations, advocacy groups and even technology platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok are influencing international security, diplomacy and public discourse in ways we have never seen before," Pease and Belo noted.

As the world grapples with growing geopolitical tensions, the rise of populism and increasing challenges to multilateral cooperation, “International Organizations: Perspectives on Global Governance” provides a crucial resource for understanding the evolving landscape of international relations. By offering a nuanced analysis of how international institutions adapt - or struggle - to maintain order in a contested global environment, Pease's and Belo’s work equips students, scholars and policy makers with the critical tools needed to navigate this uncertain era. 

As Webster University continues to foster dialogue on pressing global issues, this textbook stands as a testament to the institution’s commitment to rigorous scholarship and policy-relevant research.

For more information about the textbook, please visit the Routledge website.