January 17, 2026 07:08 AM IST First published on: Jan 17, 2026 at 07:08 AM ISTBy Radosław SikorskiThere is no denying that we may be witnessing a gradual erosion of the rules-based international system that emerged after World War II. That system — built on international law, multilateral institutions, and shared norms such as respect for sovereignty and cooperation — was meant to replace brute force with predictability. Its record has been patchy at best, but for decades it delivered stability and growth across large parts of the world. For Poland, this international order proved indispensable after the collapse of communism. Market reforms and integration into Western political, economic, and security structures created the foundations for sustained development and a credible national security policy. After 1989, the predictability and legal clarity of the post-war system allowed Poland not only to modernise, but to do so at remarkable speed.AdvertisementToday, however, the global arrangement is increasingly questioned, particularly by many countries in the Global South — and often for good reasons. Critics point to Western dominance, imposition of lopsided standards, inadequate recognition of emerging powers’ interests, economic egoism, and selective application of international law through so-called double standards. These concerns deserve to be acknowledged and addressed, not dismissed. Divergent interpretations of international law are starkly visible in reactions to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. What some countries — including mine — see as a blatant violation of basic international and humanitarian norms, others view as merely one local conflict among many. For them, this is not a reason to reassess relations with Russia, which they continue to regard as an important political and economic partner.It is likely that these differences will never be reconciled. Historical experiences, political cultures, and geography all shape our national perspectives. Yet some rules are indispensable if international relations are to function at all. Without them, long-term investment becomes risky, trade unreliable, and cooperation fragile. Without rules, chaos prevails — and while chaos may benefit a few, it harms the many. In an increasingly volatile world, some seek high-risk high-return investments. That is one reason why valuations of AI companies are reaching stratospheric levels, and why new cryptocurrencies keep popping up all over the world, luring in millions. Others, however, prefer secure and stable investments, driving gold and silver prices to record highs. For these less adventurous investors, predictability has become an increasingly valuable asset. The good news is that it can still be found in Europe. The European Union remains one of the few major global actors committed to fair trade, competitive markets, and mutually beneficial investment. Crucially, it continues to uphold the international rules agreed upon some 80 years ago, in the aftermath of the bloodiest conflict in human history.Poland is a textbook example of how beneficial a stable and predictable environment can be. Barely three and a half decades ago, it embarked on a peaceful political and economic transformation — from a centrally planned system to a democratic, market-based economy. Since 1990, Poland’s GDP per capita has increased more than eightfold. Poverty has fallen dramatically, a strong middle class has emerged, our modern infrastructure is now the envy of others, and Polish firms have moved up global value chains. Last year, my country entered the ranks of the world’s 20 largest economies. Our history was hardly a walk in the park. We have had our share of conflicts, insurrections, and wars, and we have never avoided taking up arms when necessary. Yet the past 35 years have taught us a lesson: Peace, predictability, and political order — when given a chance — can work miracles. Go to Russia. Then come to visit Poland and ask yourself a simple question: Where would you prefer your children to grow up? And where would you trust your money to work? The boring rules-based order still makes a difference.AdvertisementThe writer is Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister