Discuss the significance of Non-Aligned Movement as a unique contribution of the Non-Western world to World Politics. (UPSC CSE Mains 2018 - Political Science and International Relations, Paper 2)
- Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) emerged in the context of the wave of decolonization that followed World War II. It was founded during the height of the Soviet-U.S. Confrontation in 1961 in Belgrade. Non-alignment is one of those phenomena of international politics which appeared after the Second World War in cold war situation on the international scene. It has provided a new twist to the world politics and has represented an important force in shaping the nature of international relations. It became a protector for newly independent countries to escape from race of militarization promoted by two world powers at that time.
- The newly independent nations of Asia and Africa were deeply enriched with the feeling of nationalism and were not ready to compromise with their freedom at any stage. As these states were economically undeveloped and to attain economic development, they were not ready to join one of the bloc and become dependent fully on it. The newly independent states having common cultural and racial aspects wanted to preserve and promote it by coming together and unite in the form of NAM. They have common social, economic and political problems and needed a common platform to discuss and to bring development in their countries.
- The primary objectives of non-aligned countries focused on the support of self-determination, national independence and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, opposition to apartheid, non-interference to multi-lateral military pacts and the independence of non-aligned countries from great powers or bloc influence or rivalries, the struggle against imperialism in all its forms and manifestations, the struggle against colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, foreign occupation and domination, non-interference in the internal affairs of other states and peaceful co-existence among all nations, rejection of the use of threat or use of force in international relations, the strengthening of the U.N., the democratization of international relations, socio-economic development and the restructuring of the international economic system as well as international cooperation on an equal footing. After Lusaka conference in 1970, the member nations added the peaceful resolution of disputes, abstension from the big power military alliances and pacts and opposition to stationing of military bases in other countries as aims of the movement.
- The cold war has ended but peace in the world is still threatened by forces of extremist, discord, aggressive nationalism and terrorism and large stocks of weapons of mass destruction. These problems cannot be solved by one country alone regardless of its size and resources whereas the NAM is considered the biggest representative of the developing world, it can pressurize the international society. Therefore, it can be said that the relevance of NAM is more justified in present global scenario. The essence is the right to consider every issue on merit and the right to take whatever action is considered feasible against what is regarded as wrong.
- In fact, the cold war is dead but not the regional conflicts and crises. Intense economic and technological competition is emerging among several strong nations. The non-aligned countries have to learn to maneuver among them and successfully face the menace of new colonialism imposed through various W.T.O. round.
- Since 1961, the organization has supported the discussion of the cause of Pueroto Rico’s self-determination before the U.N. Long term objectives of NAM as establishing NIEO and democratisation of the international economic system have to achieved and it continues to live as single largest movement in international relations.
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