Hollow multilateralism: how autocracies contest the norms and procedures of international organizations
Journal: International Affairs
Year: 2025

Abstract International Relations scholars assume that multilateralism is a key component of the liberal international order. However, autocracies are increasingly promoting multilateralism in international relations. We argue that this type of multilateralism is hollow and serves two purposes for autocratic regimes. Substantively, it erodes internationally agreed-upon norms of international law by employing liberal language to hollow out established rules from within. Procedurally, it contribute