Defining multilateralism: evolution and challenges of multilateral cooperation

Multilateralism has become a norm of interstate relations and a defining characteristic of the international community of independent states. Today, however, the international system is no longer simply about interstate relations. Globalization and global communication revolution have made the world a smaller place, taking interdependence to a significantly new level and changing the patterns of interactions between states, market actors, and civil society on the international level. There is no question that globalization creates incentives for states toengage in international cooperation. Thus, the article outlines the empirical research of scholars on multilateralism to advance theoretical debates about its role in the field of International Relations, questioning to what extent do states tend to share a basic understanding of what goals they seek when they agree to multilateral cooperation