Istanbul: Trkiye and the wider Near East are not only the cradle of civilisation but also the birthplace of world order itself, a prominent scholar of international relations has said, highlighting the world's first documented peace treaty signed in the 13th century.
According to TRTworld.com, Amitav Acharya, a distinguished professor and UNESCO Chair in Transnational Challenges and Governance at American University in Washington, DC, shared his insights with TRT World on the sidelines of the 9th TRT World Forum in Istanbul. Speaking against the backdrop of the Forum's theme - The Global Reset: From the Old Order to New Realities - Acharya explained that this region gave the world its earliest principles of diplomacy, cooperation, and peace, which form the foundations of today's global governance.
He highlighted that the concept of great power cooperation predates modern international institutions. The five great powers of the ancient Near East - Egypt, Hatti, Mitanni, Assyria, and Babylon - maintained peaceful relations for about two centuries, laying the groundwork for collective security and diplomacy long before Europe.
For Acharya, Trkiye's current diplomatic efforts, such as its mediation between Russia and Ukraine and its outreach to Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, reflect a deeper continuity with its civilisational legacy. He pointed out that when Trkiye claims historical connections with Africa, West Asia, the Islamic world, and Europe, it adds legitimacy and credibility to its role as a bridge-builder. Acharya asserted that civilisation should serve to unify, not divide, and emphasised the importance of ensuring that this legacy continues to inspire unity and cooperation.
Acharya also cautioned against the politicisation of civilisational narratives, which is prevalent in many parts of the world. He warned that when civilisational heritage is used to advance governmental ideology or exclude others, it becomes problematic. However, when it is employed to promote peace and cooperation, it is powerful and constructive.
Furthermore, Acharya emphasised that Trkiye's founding vision as a multi-civilisational republic, as opposed to an ethnocentric state, remains one of its greatest strengths. Preserving and expanding this inclusive outlook can position Trkiye at the forefront of the multiplex world.
At this year's TRT World Forum, Acharya's concept of a multiplex world garnered significant attention. Building on his latest book, The Once and Future World Order: Why Global Civilisation Will Survive the Decline of the West, he argued that traditional notions of multipolarity are too limited and Eurocentric. In contrast to the 19th-century idea of multipolarity, which focused on several great powers determining global affairs, Acharya contends that the contemporary world is shaped by technology, ideas, corporations, and non-state actors. This new reality demands a shift in thinking from multipolarity to multiplexity, where influence derives from soft power, innovation, and networks.
Acharya also addressed the recent global shifts, cautioning against the notion of a US-China G2 following the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan. He described this G2 concept as a mere soundbite, asserting that the rest of the world, including Japan, India, and Europe, would not accept a duopoly. Instead, he characterised the current era as one of asymmetric power distribution, where multiple actors shape a decentralised global landscape.
Lastly, Acharya warned of the consequences of US disengagement from multilateral institutions, noting that this creates a vacuum that other nations, such as China, India, Trkiye, and the Global South, are increasingly filling. As the world navigates these shifts, Acharya's message is clear: civilisation and world order are shared, evolving achievements, not the gifts of any single power. Trkiye and its region, once the birthplace of world order, have the potential to help shape it again.