The Multipolar Delusion

And the Unilateral Temptation

C. Raja Mohan | Foreign Affairs, March/April 2026

The Multipolar delusion refers to the widespread belief that today’s international system has already shifted into stable multipolarity. In this article, C. Raja Mohan argues that this assumption oversimplifies global power dynamics and risks encouraging unilateral behavior among major states.

For many policymakers, the decline of U.S. dominance and the rise of China and other powers appear to signal a balanced multipolar order. However, Mohan contends that power distribution remains uneven and fluid. Rather than a settled system, global politics reflects ongoing competition, asymmetry, and strategic uncertainty.

Multipolar delusion and strategic miscalculation

According to Mohan, the Multipolar delusion can produce dangerous miscalculations. If states believe that power is evenly distributed, they may overestimate their autonomy and underestimate constraints. This perception can fuel unilateral actions framed as sovereign assertion rather than coordinated strategy.

Moreover, emerging powers may see multipolarity as justification for reshaping rules and institutions in their favor. At the same time, established powers may retreat into narrower national agendas, weakening collective governance mechanisms.

The pull of unilateral temptation

The article emphasizes that the appeal of unilateralism grows when trust in institutions declines. If multilateral frameworks appear ineffective, governments may prioritize direct, interest-based decisions.

Ultimately, Mohan argues that avoiding instability requires acknowledging the limits of both multipolar optimism and unilateral impulse. The Multipolar delusion obscures the reality that global order still depends on coordination, restraint, and strategic clarity.

Reference

Mohan, C. R. (2026). The multipolar delusion: And the unilateral temptation. Foreign Affairs, 105(2). https://www.foreignaffairs.com/