A NEW PHASE OF GLOBALIZATION: THE TRANSITION TO A MULTIPOLAR WORLD AND THE EMERGENCE OF A NEW WORLD ECONOMIC ORDER

The paper analyses the changes in the perceptions on the world economy system in the post World War II period, with the shifts from the idea of antagonist sub-systems to that of convergence and from the idea of the end of history to that of a dynamic multi-polar world. On this basis, it states that the current phase of globalization is characterized by diversity and haziness from ideological, economic, political, social and military points of view. Further, the changing global balance of power and the emergence of new socio-economic paradigms require the establishment of a new world economic order. According to the conclusions of the paper, the multi-polar world, defined by new hierarchies, technologies, institutions and mechanisms could be more unstable and more dynamic, implying a permanent negotiation of the participants' interests. Understanding these characteristics of the future would allow Romania to devise strategies that might capitalize on its potential.