Multipolarity and UN Peacekeeping: Between Great Power Rivalry and Global Governance

Abstract

The transition from unipolarity to multipolarity has fundamentally reshaped the dynamics of global governance and international security. In this evolving order, United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations face mounting challenges arising from great power rivalry, normative contestation, and institutional fragmentation. This article examines how multipolarity reshapes the mandates, operational practices, and normative foundations of UN peacekeeping, with particular attention to the competing strategic interests of major powers. Employing a qualitative doctrinal methodology, the study synthesizes contemporary scholarly literature, UN policy documents, and institutional analyses to assess emerging trends in peace operations. It analyses the interaction between geopolitical competition and multilateral governance frameworks, highlighting a shift from liberal peacebuilding models toward more pragmatic, sovereignty-centered approaches. The findings reveal a dual dynamic: while multipolarity constrains collective action through Security Council paralysis and intensified strategic rivalry, it simultaneously encourages adaptive responses, including increased reliance on regional actors and hybrid operational models. As a result, UN peacekeeping is transitioning from a predominantly norm-driven enterprise to a more negotiated and politically contingent instrument of conflict management. The article concludes that the future legitimacy and effectiveness of UN peacekeeping will depend on its capacity to reconcile divergent great power interests with foundational normative commitments. It recommends targeted institutional reforms, including enhanced P5 cooperation, strengthened multilateral coordination, and a recalibration of normative and operational priorities to sustain peacekeeping in an increasingly fragmented global order.