Journals / International Review of Economics and Management / 2026 / Cilt: 14 Sayı: 1

DEBATES ON MULTIPOLARITY IN GLOBAL TRADE: A LITERATURE-BASED ASSESSMENT

KÜRESEL TİCARETTE ÇOK KUTUPLULUK TARTIŞMALARI: LİTERATÜR TEMELLİ BİR DEĞERLENDİRME

Esra Kaygusız(KÜTAHYA DUMLUPINAR ÜNİVERSİTESİ, LİSANSÜSTÜ EĞİTİM ENSTİTÜSÜ, ULUSLARARASI TİCARET VE FİNANSMAN (DR))0000-0003-0625-9403
Cevat Söylemez(KÜTAHYA DUMLUPINAR ÜNİVERSİTESİ, KÜTAHYA UYGULAMALI BİLİMLER FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0002-5373-2913
Pages
1–26
Publication Date
2026-07-05
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Keywords: Global Trade, Multipolarity, Global Value Chains

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:This study aims to systematically evaluate the projections developed in the post-2014 period regarding multipolarity in global trade and to analyze the extent to which these projections correspond to current developments in international trade.
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Key Findings & Data:The study concludes that the multipolar trade order should be understood not as a completed structure, but as an ongoing transformation process in which different actors, regions, and institutional arrangements operate simultaneously, while geopolitical vulnerabilities and structural inequalities continue to shape its trajectory.
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Conclusion & Impact:Keywords: Global Trade, Multipolarity, Global Value Chains
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:2014 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Küresel Ticaret · Çok Kutupluluk · Küresel Değer Zincirleri

Abstract

This study aims to systematically evaluate the projections developed in the post-2014 period regarding multipolarity in global trade and to analyze the extent to which these projections correspond to current developments in international trade. Designed as a qualitative, literature-based, and document analysis-oriented assessment, the study examines academic literature, reports published by international organizations such as the IMF, OECD, World Bank, World Trade Organization, and UNCTAD, and recent global trade trends. The study is not designed as a systematic literature review or a quantitative forecasting model; rather, it comparatively evaluates multipolarity projections in terms of recurring themes, underlying assumptions, correspondence with observed trade developments, and explanatory relevance. Within this framework, projections concerning a multipolar trade order are examined under four themes: U.S.–China rivalry, regionalization and trade blocs, the restructuring of global value chains, and the rising role of the Global South and emerging trade actors. The findings show that global trade is evolving toward a more fragmented, multi-actor, and multi-layered structure. However, this transformation is not homogeneous, linear, or complete. Although great power rivalry shapes global trade policies, regional trade initiatives, reorganized value chains, and the growing influence of emerging economies are also key components of this transformation. The study concludes that the multipolar trade order should be understood not as a completed structure, but as an ongoing transformation process in which different actors, regions, and institutional arrangements operate simultaneously, while geopolitical vulnerabilities and structural inequalities continue to shape its trajectory. Keywords: Global Trade, Multipolarity, Global Value Chains

Özet

Bu çalışma, 2014 sonrası dönemde küresel ticarette çok kutupluluğa ilişkin geliştirilen öngörüleri sistematik biçimde değerlendirmeyi ve bu öngörülerin güncel ticari gelişmelerle ne ölçüde örtüştüğünü analiz etmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Nitel, literatür temelli ve doküman analizine dayalı bir değerlendirme olarak tasarlanan çalışmada; akademik literatür, IMF, OECD, Dünya Bankası, Dünya Ticaret Örgütü ve UNCTAD gibi uluslararası kuruluş raporları ile güncel küresel ticaret eğilimleri birlikte incelenmiştir. Çalışma, sistematik literatür taraması ya da nicel tahmin modeli değildir; çok kutupluluk öngörülerini literatürde tekrar eden temalar, temel varsayımlar, gözlemlenen gelişmelerle örtüşme düzeyi ve açıklayıcılık bakımından karşılaştırmalı olarak değerlendirmektedir. Bu çerçevede öngörüler; ABD–Çin rekabeti, bölgeselleşme ve ticaret blokları, küresel değer zincirlerinin yeniden yapılanması ile Küresel Güney’in ve yeni ticaret aktörlerinin yükselen rolü olmak üzere dört tema altında ele alınmıştır. Bulgular, küresel ticaret sisteminin daha parçalı, çok aktörlü ve çok katmanlı bir yapıya evrildiğini göstermektedir. Ancak bu dönüşüm homojen, doğrusal ve tamamlanmış değildir. Büyük güç rekabeti ticaret politikalarını şekillendirse de bölgesel girişimler, yeniden örgütlenen değer zincirleri ve yükselen ekonomilerin etkisi dönüşümün diğer bileşenleridir. Sonuç olarak çalışma, çok kutuplu ticaret düzeninin tamamlanmış ve dengeli bir yapıdan ziyade; farklı aktörlerin, bölgelerin ve kurumların eş zamanlı biçimde etkili olduğu, jeopolitik kırılganlıklar ve yapısal eşitsizlikler içeren devam eden bir dönüşüm süreci olarak değerlendirilmesi gerektiğini savunmaktadır. Anahtar Kelimeler: Küresel Ticaret, Çok Kutupluluk, Küresel Değer Zincirleri

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Cite This Article

Kaygusız, E., Söylemez, C. (2026). DEBATES ON MULTIPOLARITY IN GLOBAL TRADE: A LITERATURE-BASED ASSESSMENT. International Review of Economics and Management, Cilt: 14 Sayı: 1, 1–26. https://doi.org/10.18825/iremjournal.1963817

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