The League of Nations failed because it could not punish or deter such behavior. Today, the United States and China serve as prime examples of a unilateralist approach to international relations, even as they aver support for strengthening global rules and institutions.
大国一贯吹嘘建立在规则基础上的公正的全球秩序对国际和平与安全至关重要。但实际上大国却一边藐视国际法，一边借国际法来惩罚其他国家。国联解体就是因为无法惩罚或遏止这样的作法。今天，美中两国是国际关系中奉行单边主义作法的典型代表，即使两国都信誓旦旦支持强化全球制度和规则。