Emergence of 3rd World and Non Alignment

2020-04-27 15:40 :38

Emergence of 3rd World and Non Alignment
- NAM or Non Alignment Movement
- PYQs

NAM or Non Alignment Movement

What is the Non Alignment Movement?

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is an international organization of states that are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc.
The organization was founded in 1961, during the Cold War, as an alliance of countries that sought to promote their political, economic, and cultural independence and assert their neutrality in the midst of the Cold War’s tensions.
The NAM’s main objective is to promote the political, economic, and cultural independence of its member countries and work towards the goal of peace and cooperation among nations.
NAM was formed at the first Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, which was held in Belgrade, Yugoslavia (now Serbia) in 1961.
The conference was attended by leaders from 25 countries and it was hosted by the President of Yugoslavia, Josip Broz Tito, who was a key figure in the formation of the NAM.
It adopted the Declaration of Non-Alignment and the Charter of the Non-Aligned Countries, which outlined the principles and objectives of the movement.

Contents of the Non Alignment Movement

The Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) was a political movement that was originally conceived by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and VK Krishna Menon in 1953.
In 1955, the movement was officially adopted at the Bandung Conference in Indonesia, where ten principles of NAM were established.
These principles included
- respect for human rights, principles of the United Nations Charter,
- respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations,
- recognition of the right of all nations to self-determination,
- recognition of the equality of all races and nations,
- non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations, respect for the right of all nations to defend themselves,
- refraining from acts of aggression,
- settling of international disputes by peaceful means, mutual cooperation and interaction, justice and international obligations.
In 1961, the Non-Alignment Movement was established in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, with Jawaharlal Nehru, Gamal Abdel Nasser, Sukarno, Josip Broz Tito, and Kwame Nkrumah as its founding fathers.

Nature and Character

Believes in independent foreign policy
Not believes in neutrality but active role in int matters
“The Non-Alignment Movement is an expression of the will of the nations of the world to take their destiny in their own hands, to promote international understanding and cooperation, and to reject domination and exploitation.” - Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister of India (1947-1964) Comment: This statement by Jawaharlal Nehru, one of the founders of the Non-Alignment Movement, captures the essence of the movement: to promote self-determination and cooperation among nations, and to reject domination and exploitation.
“The Non-Alignment Movement stands for the preservation of world peace and security, and for the promotion of cooperation among all nations, regardless of their political, economic, and social systems.” - Josip Broz Tito, President of Yugoslavia (1953-1980. Comment: This statement by Josip Broz Tito, another founder of the Non-Alignment Movement, emphasizes the movement’s commitment to promoting peace and security, as well as cooperation among all nations.
“The Non-Alignment Movement is a movement of solidarity and cooperation among developing countries in the pursuit of their common interests and goals.” - Gamal Abdel Nasser, President of Egypt (1956-1970) Comment: This statement by Gamal Abdel Nasser, the third founder of the Non-Alignment Movement, highlights the movement’s focus on cooperation among developing countries in pursuit of their common interests and goals.
“The Non-Alignment Movement is a movement of nations that are determined to shape their own destiny and to pursue their own independent foreign policy, free from any form of external domination or interference.” - Fidel Castro, President of Cuba (1959-2008)
Comment: This statement by Fidel Castro, a later adherent to the Non-Alignment Movement, emphasizes the movement’s commitment to self-determination and to pursuing independent foreign policies.

Aims Objectives

CW ongoing, newly independent nations wanted to stay away from capitalist, communist blocs
Not want to waste resources on mil race
Smaller nations could have effective say, safeguard their interest
Tackle Eco, Social, Political Challenge effectively

Relevance at Present

CW ended 1991, NAM still relevant in unipolar world
It was not response to CW politics, had positive intentions, maintain indep foreign policy, socio econ dev
Inter. Challenges faced make it more relevant,
120 nations as mem, 17 observers, 55% of world pop so can never be irrelevant

PYQs

Emergence of Third World and non-alignment

Explain the circumstances leading to the emergence of Third World and analyze its impact on world affairs. [2010, 30 Marks]

The term “Third World” emerged in the 1950s to describe the countries that were not aligned with either the United States or the Soviet Union during the Cold War. These countries, mostly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, were seen as economically and politically underdeveloped compared to the two superpowers. The Third World was characterized by poverty, inequality, and authoritarian governments.

The emergence of the Third World had a major impact on world affairs. It created a new dynamic in international politics, with the Third World countries challenging the dominance of the two superpowers. This led to the emergence of the Non-Aligned Movement, which sought to create an alternative platform for developing countries to pursue their own interests.

The Third World also played an important role in the decolonization process, with many countries gaining independence from their former colonial rulers in the 1950s and 1960s. This further shifted the balance of power in the world and led to the emergence of new regional powers.

Finally, the Third World was a major factor in the rise of the Global South and the emergence of new international organizations such as the United Nations. These organizations sought to promote economic development and social justice in the Third World countries, as well as to foster global cooperation.

1. Would you argue that the Non-Aligned Movement played a crucial role in promoting a climate of peace? [2011, 30 Marks]

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) has played a role in promoting peace through various initiatives and statements throughout its history. However, it's important to note that the effectiveness of NAM in promoting peace can be debated, as many of its members have had different interests and competing ideologies, which sometimes have made it difficult for the organization to achieve its objectives. Here are a few examples of instances where the NAM has played a role in promoting peace:

1.  The NAM has called for the peaceful resolution of conflicts and the respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations. For example, at the 14th Non-Aligned Summit in Cuba in 2006, member states reaffirmed the importance of peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of all countries.

2.  NAM has also emphasized the importance of disarmament and the prohibition of the use of nuclear weapons. For example, at the 16th Summit in Iran in 2012, the NAM member states reaffirmed the need for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons and called for a nuclear-weapon-free world.

3.  The NAM has also played a role in promoting peace through its participation in various peacekeeping operations. For example, NAM member countries have contributed troops to peacekeeping missions in various conflict zones around the world such as the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) which was established in 1978 to maintain peace and security in the area.

4.  The NAM has also supported efforts to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. For example, at the 16th Summit in Iran in 2012, NAM member states reaffirmed their support for the rights of the Palestinian people and called for an immediate end to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.

5.  NAM has also played a role in promoting peace in the Korean Peninsula. For example, at the 17th Summit in Venezuela in 2016, NAM member states expressed their support for the peaceful resolution of the Korean Peninsula issue and called for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

6.  NAM has played a role in promoting peace in the Balkans. For example, at the 13th Summit in Indonesia in 1992, NAM member states expressed their support for the peaceful resolution of the Yugoslav crisis and called for the respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries in the region.

7.  NAM has played a role in promoting peace in Africa, for example, NAM has played a role in promoting peace in Africa. For example, at the 14th Summit in Cuba in 2006, NAM member states reaffirmed their commitment to the peaceful resolution of conflicts in Africa and called for the support for the efforts of the African Union and the United Nations in maintaining peace and security on the continent.

8.  NAM has played a role in promoting peace in South Asia. For example, at the 16th Summit in Iran in 2012, NAM member states expressed their support for the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue and called for the respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries in the region.

9.  NAM has played a role in promoting peace in Syria. For example, at the 17th Summit in Venezuela in 2016, NAM member states expressed their support for the peaceful resolution of the Syrian crisis and called for the respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria.

10.  NAM has played a role in promoting peace in Iran-Iraq War. For example, at the 4th Summit in New Delhi in 1983, NAM member states expressed their support for the peaceful resolution of the Iran-Iraq War and called for the respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both countries.

**Instances where NAM failed to promote peace**

1.  The NAM's stance towards the Vietnam War, which lasted from 1955 to 1975, was considered to be ambiguous and inconsistent. Many NAM member states, including India, Egypt, and Yugoslavia, supported the United States and the South Vietnamese government, while other NAM member states, such as Indonesia and Cuba, supported the North Vietnamese government and the communist National Liberation Front.

2.  The NAM's position on the Iran-Iraq War, which lasted from 1980 to 1988, was also considered to be ambiguous and inconsistent. Many NAM member states, including Egypt, Yugoslavia, and India, supported Iraq, while other NAM member states, such as Cuba and Tanzania, supported Iran.

3.  The NAM's stance towards the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 was also criticized as being inconsistent. While some member states, such as India, condemned the invasion, other member states, such as Cuba, supported it.

4.  The NAM's position on the civil war in Angola, which lasted from 1975 to 2002, was also considered to be ambiguous and inconsistent. Many NAM member states, such as Cuba, supported the ruling MPLA government, while other NAM member states, such as Yugoslavia, supported the opposition UNITA movement.

5.  The NAM's stance towards the Yugoslav Wars, which lasted from 1991 to 2001, was also considered to be ambiguous and inconsistent. Some member states, such as India, supported the independence of Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, while other member states, such as Yugoslavia, supported the preservation of Yugoslavia.

The above examples demonstrate the effectiveness of NAM as well as some of its failures.

According to Gaddis, NAM had an ambiguous and inconsistent stance towards the Cold War and its members had different interests and competing ideologies, which sometimes have made it difficult for the organization to achieve its objectives.

Gaddis has argued that the NAM's effectiveness in promoting peace and security was limited by its lack of a clear strategy or agenda. He has also noted that the organization was not a military alliance, and it didn't have the power to enforce peace or impose sanctions on countries that violate its principles. He also highlighted that the NAM's effectiveness in promoting peace and security was limited by the fact that many of its members were not truly "non-aligned" and had close ties with one of the two superpowers.

1. The role of the Non-Alignment Movement in world affairs had suffered greatly due to the theatre of internecine conflicts among the Third World countries who spearheaded it." Elucidate. [2015, 10 Marks]


1.  India and Pakistan, both members of the NAM, have been in a state of conflict since their independence in 1947.

2.  The civil war in Angola, which lasted from 1975 to 2002, saw NAM member states such as Cuba and Yugoslavia supporting opposing sides.

3.  The Iran-Iraq War, which lasted from 1980 to 1988, saw NAM member states such as Egypt and Yugoslavia supporting Iraq, while other NAM member states, such as Cuba and Tanzania, supported Iran.

4.  The Yugoslav Wars, which lasted from 1991 to 2001, saw NAM member states such as India supporting the independence of Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, while other NAM member states, such as Yugoslavia, supported the preservation of Yugoslavia.

5.  The civil war in Syria, which began in 2011, has seen NAM member states such as Russia supporting the government, while other NAM member states, such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia, have supported the opposition.

6.  The on-going conflict in Yemen, which began in 2015, has seen some NAM member states such as Iran supporting the Houthi rebels, while other NAM member states, such as Saudi Arabia and UAE, supporting the government.

7.  The civil war in Sudan, which began in 1983, saw NAM member states supporting opposing sides.

8.  The civil war in Somalia, which began in 1991, saw NAM member states such as Ethiopia and Eritrea supporting opposing sides.

9.  The civil war in Lebanon, which lasted from 1975 to 1990, saw NAM member states such as Syria and Israel supporting opposing sides.

10.  The civil war in Burundi, which lasted from 1993 to 2005, saw NAM member states such as Tanzania and Rwanda supporting opposing sides.