Discourse on Politics with Gladden Pappin
In a thought-provoking podcast episode recorded on July 17th, 2025, Mark and Gladden Pappin delved into the current state of the liberal international order and the recent shifts in EU-US relations.
Gladden Pappin, co-founder of the online magazine Post-Liberal Order and the American Affairs Journal, shared his insights on the emerging political sensibility that is challenging European politics as we know it. This new political sensibility, often associated with post-liberalism, is spreading around the continent, demanding more assertiveness, military readiness, and autonomous foreign policy to contend with the shifting global power dynamics and the internal rise of nationalist and authoritarian trends.
Pappin's intellectual journey, as the president of the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, illustrates the transnational nature of contemporary political thought. He emphasised that the new political sensitivity is not just a European phenomenon, but a global one. The predominant forces likely to replace the old liberal international system are the strategic rivalry between the USA and China, alongside the rise of the BRICS group, which represents a growing geopolitical and economic power from the Global South.
The conversation highlighted the need for greater understanding of new conservative perspectives, particularly in Europe. Pappin's co-authored book, "Regime Change: Towards a Postliberal Future", presents post-liberalism as a direct response to the failures of liberalism. The emerging alliances will include flexible thematic coalitions within institutions like the UN, involving states from both the Global South and North, founded on shared interests rather than ideology. This approach enables space for the exchange of ideas and reform agendas.
Europe is expected to increasingly shape rules independently and may act as a moderator in international forums, fostering trilateral dialogues to maintain the status quo amid this multipolar realignment. Emerging alliances will provide a platform for different people to exchange ideas, fostering a more inclusive and diverse political discourse.
As the conversation unfolded, it was clear that the liberal international order is undergoing a significant transformation. The discussion between Mark and Gladden Pappin serves as a reminder of the importance of open dialogue and understanding in navigating this complex and rapidly changing political landscape.
Read also:
- Lu Shiow-yen's Challenging Position as Chair of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Under Scrutiny in Donovan's Analysis
- Travel enthusiasts are securing their winter vacation plans as summer draws to a close
- Palmer engages in a dispute with AfD.
- Eric Adams reportedly considering abandoning his mayoral campaign for a Trump administration position
