The fragmentation of the international order and the transition toward multipolarity challenge the legitimacy of global governance frameworks rooted in liberal universalism. Universalist ideals, centred on democratic norms and human rights, increasingly fail to address the complexities, inequalities, and diverse perspectives of a multipolar world. This paper advances an alternative conceptualisation of legitimacy, grounded in pluralist approaches that embrace contextual norms, negotiated practices, and the inclusion of historically marginalised voices. It argues for a shift from static, universal frameworks to dynamic, pluralistic processes capable of reconciling sovereignty with justice and diversity with global stability.
Drawing on critical international theory, the paper critiques the structural inequalities perpetuated by the liberal international order. Using the insights of Robert Cox, Andrew Linklater, Martti Koskenniemi, and Antony Anghie, it highlights the inadequacies of the “rules-based international order” as an artefact of Western hegemony. Instead, it advocates for a decentralised legitimacy framework, rooted in relational sovereignty and regional pluralism, as a pathway to inclusive and just global governance.
Building upon this critique, the paper explores the transformative potential of political imagination, positioning it as essential for advancing justice and inclusivity within this pluralist framework. By integrating an international political theory of change, it proposes emancipatory futures as an organising principle that aligns with the decentralised legitimacy model. Drawing from Ernst Bloch’s Principle of Hope and Boaventura de Sousa Santos’ epistemologies of the South, this approach underscores the necessity of reimagining global governance through alternative visions that dismantle entrenched power structures and address historical injustices. These theoretical perspectives bridge critical analyses of existing frameworks with the constructive possibilities of equity-driven, justice-oriented transformations. These emancipatory frameworks are essential for addressing contemporary global challenges, including climate justice, conflict resolution, and institutional reform.
Through an analysis of emerging regional governance mechanisms, the paper illustrates how alternative systems can offer legitimate responses to the limitations of liberal internationalism. It argues that legitimacy in global governance must move beyond mere functional stability to actively promote justice-oriented transformations. By foregrounding pluralism, historical accountability, and inclusivity, this work provides a robust theoretical and practical framework for reimagining global institutions as spaces of emancipation rather than domination.
Ultimately, the paper advances the concept of an international political theory of transformative change as the cornerstone for addressing both the ontological limitations of mainstream international theory and the practical challenges of global politics. By interrogating the static assumptions embedded in traditional frameworks, this approach advances a dynamic vision of global governance that prioritises adaptability, inclusivity, and justice. It bridges the divide between normative ideals and real-world practices, offering pathways to reimagine and reconstruct global institutions as catalysts for structural transformation and emancipatory futures. This concept situates emancipatory futures at the heart of institutional legitimacy, arguing that the principles governing global institutions must not only accommodate diversity but actively foster structural transformation. By addressing the entrenched asymmetries and historical injustices that define the current global order, the paper reframes global institutions as dynamic arenas for contestation, innovation, and justice-driven transformation.
