The Role of Geopolitical Narratives in the Process of Global Ordering and Disordering

Abstract

This policy briefing explores the role that geopolitical narratives play in the process of global ordering and disordering. Competing geopolitical narratives are a critical, but insufficiently understood, dimension of global ordering. They reflect the different strategic interests of their authors. As such, they are instruments of strategic competition. They set out a particular vision of global order, inspire and justify political action and serve to legitimize friends and delegitimize foes. The policy briefing develops a framework that can help to analyse relevant components of the role of geopolitical narratives in the process of global ordering and disordering, to discuss the findings of the three thematic workshops in broadly comparable terms, and to demonstrate the complexities associated with the topic under study.

Keywords: international relations, narratives, geopolitcs, migration, cyber, global health, propaganda