Power and rules in world politics: Von Clausewitz, Wilhelm II and Trump against Grotius, Wilson and Rietjens
There are two ways to engage in world politics: power or rules. This formula is too simple to be true of course. Rules without power is fragmented at best, and power without rules is quickly confronted with its own limits – or degenerates. Nevertheless the formula contains at least the basis of two alternative ways of directing world politics. Then and now.
This article (available in Dutch only) is published in Een momentopname in veranderende wereldbeelden – Paul Rietjens, veertig jaar actief in de wandelgangen van buitenlandse zaken, edited by Philippe Beke, ASP – Academic and Scientific Publishers, April 2019.
(Photo credit: European Parliament, Flickr)