Source: The UnPopulist
by Shikha Dalmia
“The first step toward a new liberal international order is calling it not a rules-based — but a principles-based — liberal order. The semantic difference matters when trying to forge a coalition whose members could have different interests at any given moment. A rules-based order connotes that they must accept limits on advancing their interests based on pre-set rules. These rules might be agreed upon mutually, but they nevertheless signify restrictions. Principles, on the other hand, refer to one’s own independently chosen normative commitments. Entering arrangements that advance them therefore represents not a loss of autonomy but staying true to one’s own values. Interests can diverge based on time and circumstances—principles don’t.” (08/03/25)
https://www.theunpopulist.net/p/never-again-should-a-sole-superpower