Transformation of the International Order: The Russian Imperial Challenge

Abstract

The article offers a theoretical interpretation of the category of the «international order» as an analytical tool for studying contemporary transformations of the international system. The purpose of the study is to provide a theoretical and methodological understanding of the concept of international order in the context of the transformation of the world system and to identify the specific features of the Russian logic of expansion as a factor in the systemic crisis of the post-bipolar security architecture. The methodological framework of the research is based on historical and systemic approaches, which allow the international order to be examined as a cyclical phenomenon characterized by phases of formation, stabilization, and crisis. Comparative analysis is applied to contrast the concepts of political realism and liberalism, while discursive analysis is used to examine policy documents and public statements of leading political actors. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the author’s approach to interpreting the category of the «international order» as a dynamic political and institutional construct formed at the intersection of normative-legal and power dimensions of world politics. The paper уточнює the theoretical content of this concept through an analysis of political interpretations proposed by leading global actors and demonstrates its dependence on historical context, the balance of power, and transformations in the understanding of national interest. The author’s theoretical contribution consists in conceptualizing the international order as a variable analytical category that integrates legal, political, and geostrategic dimensions of contemporary international relations. Results. The study identifies a gap between the normative model of the international order and the practice of contemporary international relations, manifested in the preservation of the institutional structure of the global system alongside a decline in its regulatory effectiveness. The systemic nature of this gap is demonstrated as an indicator of the transition of the international system to a new configuration of the balance of power. It is shown that the content of the category of the “international order” in political discourse is determined by the correlation between power-based and normative factors and varies depending on the strategic interests of leading actors in world politics. Conclusions. It is substantiated that the contemporary international order is undergoing a process of transformation in which the strengthening of power practices and geopolitical competition reshapes perceptions of its stability and normative character. This provides grounds for viewing it as a historically dynamic phenomenon sensitive to changes in the global balance of power. The proposed approach to interpreting the international order as a dynamic analytical category deepens the understanding of current crisis processes and outlines prospects for further theoretical research.