Article Author: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ion Corbu

This article offers a comprehensive examination of the global shift from a unipolar order dominated by a single hegemonic power to a multipolar structure characterized by multiple centers of influence. It builds upon the European Doctrine of Mutual Respect and Cooperation (DERRC) to propose a framework that integrates sovereignty, collective leadership, and mixed democracy. The paper critically evaluates misleading narratives that depict multipolarity as inherently unstable or authoritarian, and it clarifies the distinctions between democratic multipolarity and both anarchic multipolar competition and centralized unipolar dominance. Key concepts are illustrated through historical analogies, contemporary geopolitical developments, and institutional design proposals. A special emphasis is placed on the model of collegial leadership as an alternative to one-person governance, highlighting its potential for enhancing resilience, transparency, and shared responsibility in both domestic and international contexts. The article also argues that sovereigntism, far from being isolationist, can coexist with balanced globalization based on mutual respect and negotiated cooperation.

Keywords: Multipolarity; Collective Leadership; Mixed Democracy; Sovereigntism; DERRC;Sovereignty; Global Governance; International Regulation

Article Review Status: Published

Pages: 01–13

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