World, reordering

At the recent World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a striking message. He argued that the international system built after the Cold War has suffered “a rupture, not a transition.” In his words, the comfortable assumption that global politics would operate within a stable, rules-based order is over. “We know the old order is not coming back,” he said, warning that geopolitics among major powers is increasingly unconstrained.

Carney suggested that economic integration itself has become a tool of competition: tariffs used as leverage, supply chains exploited as pressure points, and financial systems deployed for strategic advantage. In response, he argued that so-called “middle powers” must work together to shape a new international framework rather than passively accepting the agendas of larger states. Right now, Carney is visiting India, Australia and Japan to follow through on that rhetoric.
Whether one agrees with him or not, the speech raises a provocative question: Are we living through a genuine reordering of the world?
Over the past year alone, we have seen developments that hint at deep structural shifts:

• Intensifying geopolitical rivalries and regional conflicts.
• Trade tensions and the strategic use of tariffs and sanctions.
• The fragmentation of supply chains and the reshaping of global trade blocs.
• Rapid technological competition in AI, semiconductors, energy, and critical minerals.
• New alliances emerging among “middle powers” and regional coalitions.

For decades, many people assumed the global system—however imperfect—was broadly stable. But if Carney is right, that stability may have been more fragile than we realised.

Questions for Conversation:

• Do you agree with Carney that the old world order has “ruptured”? Or are we simply seeing the latest phase of a long-running geopolitical cycle?
• Which forces are driving the reordering most strongly: economics, military power, technology, ideology, presidents and prime ministers, or something else?
• Is the world moving toward blocs and spheres of influence again? If so, what might those blocs look like?
• Where do “middle powers” (countries like Canada, Australia, Japan, and India) fit into the emerging system?
• How might these changes affect ordinary people—jobs, trade, energy prices, travel, security, or democracy?
• Is this moment dangerous—or could it be an opportunity to build a more stable and fair global system?

The goal of this meetup is not to reach agreement, but to explore how participants interpret the changes unfolding around us. If the world really is being reordered, what kind of order do you think is emerging — and what kind would you hope to see?

You must register and be on the “Attendees - Going” list to attend.
Minimum spend of $10 at the cafe on food and/or drink. This enables us to have free use of their private room.

We meet UPSTAIRS at the Little Turkish Cafe.

Please arrive early to order food and/or drink before you join us. Several people arrive early and eat downstairs before the Meetup. You are welcome to join us.

Bring $1 to cover Meetup costs.

RSVP POLICY:

RSVPs and cancellations will be accepted up until 6 hours before the start of the meetup so that people who feel unwell on the day have time to change their RSVP and allow someone else to attend.

Being registered to attend and not attending OR cancelling your attendance after 12:30 pm on Tuesday will be considered a 'No Show'.
Members with two 'No Shows' will be banned from attending further D&M Meetups.

This RSVP policy has become necessary due to the high number of last minute withdrawals and non-attendance. This unfairly causes people on the Waiting List to miss out. Thanks for your cooperation.