Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The 21 st century has brought numerous different challenges in international relations.With the downfall of the bipolar world order, we are now witnessing the emergence of a new one.The framework resulting from globalisation, modernism and the digital revolution sets out different routes for states on their paths to creating a balance of power.The success of foreign policy does not solely depend on the toolkit of hard power, that is, military or economic strength.Manifestations of soft power are becoming increasingly significant in the assertion of interests.Diplomatic tools and active participation in international organisations are particularly important in relationship building.Many of the new states that emerged in the wake of the collapse of colonial empires have, in fact, no other choice.In the lack of military or economic power, they must use the instruments of soft power as effectively as possible, aiming not only to secure the best possible position in geopolitical competition, but also to shape the perception of a globalised society and the country's image, and to influence the views of their own citizens.The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), founded in 1889 as a global organisation comprised of the parliaments of sovereign states, currently has 183 member states.Over the past 136 years, it has accompanied states implementing democracy or striving for democratisation in their quest to find their own identity.This paper seeks to answer whether the processes taking place within this global organisation validate the assertion that world politics has become multipolar and multi-civilisational.To what extent are Western countries successful in asserting their interests compared to emerging states?Is there any discernible co-operation between states with similar cultural roots?To what extent do young states follow the guidelines of Western countries, or is their influence on these states fading?Are there shared values and toolkits that point towards the prevention and mitigation of conflicts?Seeking answers to these questions, I will provide a summary of the IPU's Presidents and review historical General Assembly venues, along with their significance in terms of the visibility of the Global South.I will also outline the factors
Language: Hungarian
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7206375069