The former president also analyzed the detriments of unilateralism by the United States and other nations, as well as the heightened opposition to multinational institutions during an era of fears of terrorism.

“At this hour of global interdependence, even the mightiest power has limits to its influence, to its capacity to control how others react to its actions,” he said. “Aggressive unipolarity sooner rather than later would set the world in search of a different equilibrium, one in which the military power of the United States could be balanced. This process would prove expensive and tragic.”

“I submit that it is time to stop bashing the multilateral institutions. They are no better or worse than what the major powers put into them, in leadership, skillful bilateral diplomacy and resources,” Zedillo continued. “The right way is not to undermine these institutions but, where needed, to reform them so that they can better serve the good causes of human rights, security, peace and prosperity.”

—Staff writer Alexander J. Blenkinsopp can be reached at blenkins@fas.harvard.edu.