Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
Speaker: Philip H. Gordon
Payne Distinguished Lecture
About the event: The liberal, U.S.-led world order—set up in the wake of World War II and based on a system of U.S.-led alliances, multilateral institutions, open trade, and the defense of rules and norms such as freedom of navigation and non-aggression—seems to be dying if it is not already dead. But those welcoming or encouraging this development should be careful what they wish for. The U.S.-led order over the past 80 years was marred with many wars, injustices and inequalities, and the rules that were said to exist were often bent or broken. But it was also by far the most stable, secure and prosperous period in world history, and much of that was because U.S. power and global engagement underpinned it, deterred wars, kept sea lanes open, and promoted relatively free trade. Rather than complacently accepting its death—let alone celebrating or contributing to it—the next American president should set out to restore, improve, sustain, and sell the idea of an enlightened and U.S.-led world where leadership rules, values, institutions and norms still matter.
The Payne Lectureship is named for Frank E. Payne and Arthur W. Payne, brothers who gained an appreciation for global problems through their international business operations. Their descendants endowed the annual lecture series at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies in order to raise public understanding of the complex policy issues facing the global community today and to increase support for informed international cooperation.
The Payne Distinguished Lecturer is chosen for his or her international reputation as a leader, with an emphasis on visionary thinking; a broad, practical grasp of a given field; and the capacity to clearly articulate an important perspective on the global community and its challenges.
Speaker: Philip H. Gordon
Payne Distinguished Lecture
About the event: The liberal, U.S.-led world order—set up in the wake of World War II and based on a system of U.S.-led alliances, multilateral institutions, open trade, and the defense of rules and norms such as freedom of navigation and non-aggression—seems to be dying if it is not already dead. But those welcoming or encouraging this development should be careful what they wish for. The U.S.-led order over the past 80 years was marred with many wars, injustices and inequalities, and the rules that were said to exist were often bent or broken. But it was also by far the most stable, secure and prosperous period in world history, and much of that was because U.S. power and global engagement underpinned it, deterred wars, kept sea lanes open, and promoted relatively free trade. Rather than complacently accepting its death—let alone celebrating or contributing to it—the next American president should set out to restore, improve, sustain, and sell the idea of an enlightened and U.S.-led world where leadership rules, values, institutions and norms still matter.
The Payne Lectureship is named for Frank E. Payne and Arthur W. Payne, brothers who gained an appreciation for global problems through their international business operations. Their descendants endowed the annual lecture series at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies in order to raise public understanding of the complex policy issues facing the global community today and to increase support for informed international cooperation.
The Payne Distinguished Lecturer is chosen for his or her international reputation as a leader, with an emphasis on visionary thinking; a broad, practical grasp of a given field; and the capacity to clearly articulate an important perspective on the global community and its challenges.
