Politics Redefined with Gladden Pappin

In a thought-provoking conversation, Gladden Pappin, the president of the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, and co-founder of Post-Liberal Order and American Affairs Journal, discussed the current state of the liberal international order and recent shifts in EU-US relations. The discussion, which was part of ECFR's summer mini-series, was centred around the "New Right".

Mark and Gladden Pappin, the discussants in this episode, explored what is emerging to replace the old liberal international order and how emerging alliances create a space for different people to exchange ideas. The conversation highlighted the need for greater understanding of new conservative perspectives, particularly in Europe.

Gladden Pappin's intellectual journey illustrates the transnational nature of contemporary political thought. As a co-founder of Post-Liberal Order and American Affairs Journal, and the president of the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, Pappin has been instrumental in shaping discourse on post-liberalism, a response to the failures of liberalism.

The emerging political sensibility, as discussed, is challenging European politics as we know it. The emerging replacement for the old liberal international system is represented by new multipolar alliances such as the BRICS group. This group, which includes countries from the Global South like China, Russia, India, South Africa, and recently Indonesia, is forming an alternative world order focused on multilateralism and cooperation beyond traditional Western dominance.

These new alliances create spaces for idea exchange through economic forums, diplomatic summits, and coordinated international coalitions that emphasize pragmatic cooperation and independent positions for formerly colonized countries. This evolving political sensitivity, spreading across continents, challenges European politics as it demands a shift from traditional alliances toward a more strategic, independent, and cooperative European Union role in a multipolar world order. EU leaders are calling for greater unity and pragmatic action to maintain influence.

The second episode of ECFR's summer mini-series focuses on the "New Right". The discussion delves into the ideas and perspectives of this political movement, offering insights into its impact on European politics and the international order. The episode was recorded on July 17th, 2025.