International Ambition vs Domestic Reality: A 25-Year Gap in Western Democracies

### The Retreat of the West

Western democracies are experiencing a growing disconnect between their international goals and domestic political support. This phenomenon, often signaled by Brexit and Trump's presidency, has been developing since the end of the Cold War.

#### Historical Context 25 Years & Beyond

* Longstanding decline in public backing for liberal internationalism across twenty-four industrialized democracies

* Systematic erosion occurring over multiple election cycles rather than a recent reversal

#### Post-Cold War Shifts

* Western governments increasingly reliant on economic globalization and multilateral governance

* Mainstream parties losing ground to populist alternatives (both radical-left and anti-globalist right)

#### New Challengers On The Block

* Populist parties gaining traction by opposing established international cooperation frameworks

* Growing political polarization as vehicles for the 'backlash' movement emerge

### This means that...

The widening gap between Western states' multilateral governance ambitions and their domestic political realities poses a fundamental challenge to the liberal international order. Understanding this disconnect is crucial for designing effective strategies to preserve or reform global cooperation frameworks.