ABSTRACT
The twentieth century is often termed ‘the American century’ and there is little indication that the twenty-first century will deviate from American dominance. India, China and the European Union (EU) may grow in influence and economic might, but they are unlikely to knock the United States off its perch. The twentieth century, particularly from 1945 onwards, has also been a century of international institutions. Institutions such as the United Nations, NATO, African Union (AU) and EU continue to play a key role in thwarting and facilitating conflict and development in the twenty-first century. Indeed, a select group of international institutions comprise the primary international instruments dedicated to preventing and minimising the impact of war, spearheading post-war reconstruction and promoting development. At the same time, a select group of international institutions are often blamed for underdevelopment and de-development, and by extension contributing to conflict. To complicate matters, the same institutions have been blamed for contributing both to the escalation and transformation of violent conflict.
