The article discusses a recent speech by Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, aimed at EU ambassadors, where she attempted to address failures within the so-called 'rules-based order.' Unlike Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who took a self-reflective approach by acknowledging the shortcomings of Western leadership in a collaborative system, von der Leyen's attempt was criticized for being tone-deaf and for not recognizing that the problems lie with the leaders, rather than the system itself.

Carney's impactful speech at Davos centered on the need for introspection among Western leaders, highlighting how they are complicit in the dysfunction of democratic governance. He argued that many have ignored the contradictions between their stated commitments and actual practices. In contrast, von der Leyen's response was to seek an external scapegoat, thus avoiding any accountability for the missteps of the EU leadership in upholding democratic values and interests.

This divergence in approach raises significant questions about the future of the EU's influence in global politics. As von der Leyen suggests a shift away from the established 'rules-based order,' it implies a recognition of inadequacies in responding to geopolitical challenges. The implications of these discussions point towards a need for self-reflection within Western democracies, as the efficacy of their governance systems and foreign policies is increasingly called into question.