Davos signals world order fracture, rise for pragmatic middle powers

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a stark diagnosis of the global system at the World Economic Forum in Davos, arguing that the post-Cold War "rules-based order" has collapsed, giving way to a raw multipolar reality where power dictates terms and middle powers must adopt new strategies to survive.

Declaring the End of a 'Useful Fiction'

Carney pulled no punches, stating that the old paradigm where institutions guaranteed fairness is over. "We are not experiencing a transition, but a fracture," he said. He invoked Czech dissident Václav Havel’s idea of "living within a lie," comparing it to the pretense that all nations equally benefited from a system often manipulated by the powerful. The foundational principle now, he suggested, is that "the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must."

The Weaponization of Interdependence and a New Playbook

The speech highlighted how economic integration, once a source of mutual gain, has been weaponized through sanctions, tariff wars, and supply chain manipulation. In response, Carney outlined a pragmatic playbook for middle powers: diversify partnerships rapidly, build domestic economic and technological resilience, and form flexible coalitions. He cited Canada’s own moves, like signing over a dozen global agreements and forming critical mineral buyer’s clubs, as a model. "Great powers can act alone, but we cannot," he asserted.

Türkiye’s Policy Alignment in a Multipolar World

This analysis directly reflects Türkiye’s recent strategic posture. As a NATO member pursuing energy independence, a domestic defense industry, and balanced ties with Russia, China, and regional powers, Türkiye exemplifies the multi-aligned, pragmatic autonomy Carney described. Its active roles in Ukraine, Syria, Libya, and Africa are seen as necessary adaptations to a world where strategic flexibility and domestic strength are prerequisites for a principled foreign policy.

The Path Forward: Building Power, Not Walls

Carney’s core message was a call to action: stop pretending the old rules work and build tangible power. For Türkiye, this means not retreating into isolation but doubling down on opening new partnerships, strengthening economic resilience, and leading coalition-building efforts with like-minded states. The emerging order is not a rigid bloc system but a complex, multilayered network where middle powers that master this art will gain significant influence.