World politics without illusions

How fair is international politics really? An uncomfortable but urgent question, because the system of rules and cooperation has proven to be less self‑evident in practice. NRC journalist Derk Walters spoke about this during the event ‘World Politics Without Illusions’. The discussion focused on the harsh reality behind international politics and the myth of a fair world order. 

Drawing on his experience in the Middle East, Derk illustrated how power and interests often outweigh agreed‑upon rules. Derk stated: “The rules we have agreed on collectively are not followed honestly by everyone, and that depends to some extent on how powerful you are. 

Less certainty 

Criticism from the Global South has been voiced for some time, and Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has also said: “The old rules‑based world order is not coming back.” This clash of perspectives makes it clear that what we often present as a “world order” is, in reality, not a shared truth but a narrative that changes depending on who is speaking and who is being heard. Derk directly relates this to the Netherlands: “For us as well, these certainties are becoming less self‑evident, and we have to redefine our position.” 

The complexity of world politics 

During the event, students discussed questions without simple answers: does something like an international legal order still exist, who decides when rules apply, and how do different parts of the world view the West? Derk emphasized the importance of critical thinking and media awareness in this context: “Students need to stay informed about what is happening in the world, but also think for themselves. What is actually being said here, and whose interests does it serve?”