Tallberg: "International institutions often enjoy more legitimacy than national governments"
The rules-based international order is currently facing several challenges. But "the situation is not as dire as it is often portrayed", professor Jonas Tallberg stated in a post on LinkedIn on Monday as he summarized the key message he conveyed at a panel seminar at the Folk och Försvar Annual National Conference in Sälen the day before.
He added that "international institutions enjoy significant legitimacy –often more than national governments – a point we underscored in the Demokratirådsrapport 2023 for SNS Center for Business and Policy Studies."
"However, the rules-based order is being threatened by three major global shifts: a global power shift, the rise of nationalist populism, and authoritarian development", the SCGG co-director wrote, noting that the latter issue is at the heart of the research project, DEMCOOP – focused on international cooperation in an age of autocratization.

Expert says ICC arrest warrants come as no surprise
Speaking about the International Criminal Court's legitimacy in general and its arrest warrants for both Israeli and Hamas leaders last year, Mark Klamberg, an SCGG-affiliated professor of public international law who was also present at the seminar 'UN - An Arena for Geopolitical Division,' suggested that Sweden could leverage active diplomacy. He stressed that "the rules we advocate for others must also be upheld and respected by us. There is criticism from the Global South that we are trying to advocate for rules and actions that we ourselves don't fully adhere to."

Where do EU countries stand on ICC’s arrest warrant for Netanyahu?
He also mentioned that "Sweden and our allies welcomed the arrest warrant against Putin" but did not apply the same rules towards "those whom we traditionally consider our allies" as in the case of the arrest warrant issued towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Sweden has expressed support for the ICC since the warrants were issued but has not explicitly said it would be willing to arrest the Israeli leader.
VIDEO: "UN - an arena for geopolitical division"
The Folk och Försvar Annual National Conference
The Folk och Försvar Annual National Conference (Rikskonferensen) takes place 12-14 January 2025 in the winter resort Sälen, in Dalarna County. Regular speakers include the Swedish Prime Minister, the Ministers for Defence and Foreign Affairs, and the Supreme Commander. Through the years, several prominent international representatives have attended the conference as well. The conference attracts 400 participants and 30-40 speakers for three days of lectures, discussions and debates. The conference encourages formal as well as informal conversations between parliamentarians, representatives from trade and industry, political parties, government authorities, youth organizations and various NGOs. (Source: Folk och försvar)
Last updated: January 14, 2025
Source: SCGG