Introduction

The values and institutions of global multilateralism have always

been challenged – or even sometimes seemingly undermined – by the

realities of power politics in international relations, even though they

are a creation of these same realities. Despite this apparent paradox,

inherent in the nature of the international system, multilateral orga-

nizations have made a valuable contribution to the regulation of

international affairs. The circumstances at the beginning of the twenty-

first century, however, have led many commentators to seriously consider if multilateralism is in crisis. This volume considers if it is

correct to think in terms of a ‘‘crisis.’’ It explores the sources and mani-

festations of the challenges to multilateralism in the area of interna-

tional peace and security, and envisages how multilateralism might

be more viably constituted to cope with contemporary and future

demands.