Post World War Political Developments

A system of independent and sovereign states is called International system.

Note: There are many independent states like India that interact with one another from trade, commerce, security reason etc. Such a system of interconnection of independent and sovereign states is called International system.

The main responsibility of the United Nations to avoid war.

Note: The United Nations was established in 1945 after the end of Second World War to improve interactions between the countries of the world on a common platform, thus avoiding future wars.

The Cold War ended with the disintegration of the Soviet Union.

Note: Mikhail Gorbachev’s policies of Perestroika (Restructuring) and Glasnost (Openness) reduced the role and control of state over national institutions like media and led to a series of political and economic changes in Russia. Soon, the smaller countries of the Soviet Union following Russia’s example adopted more democratic policies which led to the disintegration of the socialist bloc and hence, the end of Cold War.

1. False

Reason: The League of Nations was established after the First World War to avoid wars.

2. False

Reason: The world became bipolar during the Cold War and was divided into opposing camps of the capitalist (led by America) and the socialist (led by Soviet Union).

3. True

Reason: The policies of Mikhail Gorbachev reduced control on media and led to important social and economic changes which were democratic in nature.

A Cold War is a condition when there is no actual war but circumstantial tensions can become a reason for major conflict. The struggle for power, difference in ideology and arms race gave rise to a series of proxy wars fought in different parts of the world between America and Soviet Union in 1945-91 which is known as the Cold War.

During the Cold War when the world was getting increasingly divided into two rival camps, some newly independent Asian and African countries followed the policy of non-alignment. They decided to stay out of the war by not joining either camp. It was an important movement that encouraged peaceful means for conflict resolution.

Interdependence is an important feature of International society. No country can be self sufficient; they are dependent on each other for something or the other. Such interdependencies reduce possibility of wars between nations and ensure peace.

The division of the world nations into two camps during the Cold War is known as Bipolarisation. Most countries either supported American or the Soviet Union which intensified the tension in world since the super powers constantly competed to expend their respective sphere of influence.

The world-wide circulation of capital, labour, information, technology and ideas is known as Globalisation. The concept came into prominence after the Cold War when different economies of the world got more and more integrated, and the geographical boundaries between the nations did not remain as sacrosanct as before.

The League of Nations should have taken relevant measures to address the economic crisis that had prevailed in Europe after the First World War and checked the rise of autocratic regimes in Germany, Italy, Spain and countries to avoid the Second World War.

The Non-Alignment was an import political movement during the Cold War period which encouraged conflict resolution through peaceful means. In a scenario of growing unrest and intense arms race, the non-aligned movement inspired the developing nations to come together for mutual cooperation and economic growth. It was necessary to bring together the newly decolonize countries and assert their sovereignty in the face of global rivalry which was taking a neo imperial shape.

With the world caught between two super powers competing to power and influence, arms race took precedence over Human welfare. Huge amount of money was spent on raising and maintaining military organizations for security of the blocs. Mutual cooperation for human development was neglected; even the regional cooperation in Europe was in context of the Cold War with the latent objective of financing the increasing cost of the war.

I think India & China can come up as competing super powers to America in the present times. Both these countries put together are home to half of the world working population and have the fastest growing economies. China, with its industry driven economy, is the world’s manufacturer, while India with its service driven economy is the world’s outsourced back office. Together, these two countries can surpass American influence in near future.

The following factors were responsible for the end of Cold War:

1. The Soviet Union adopted the policy of opening up its economy which loosened the state control.

2. Mikhail Gorbachev’s policy of Perestroika (Restructuring) and Glasnost (Openness) reduced state control on media that led to important political and economic changes on democratic lines.

3. Since the East European countries under the influence of the Soviet Union adopted the capitalist and democratic paths, it led to a change of regimes in those nations.

4. Ultimately, the Soviet Union disintegrated and several new nations emerged out of the old bloc, Russia being the largest.

The major changes that

occurred in global politics after the end of the Cold War are:

1. America remained the only super power in the world.

2. A favorable environment prevailed for growth of trade and economic relations marked by easier flow of capital, labour, information and ideas.

3. The global focus shifted to fostering trade relations instead of aid giving, economic interdependencies grew.

4. The United Nations now had a greater responsibility of maintaining global peace and security.

5. Environmental concerns, human rights, gender equality etc acquired a global dimension.

In this age of Globalisation, all the countries of the world (big or small, rich or poor) are dependent on each for some resources or the other, thus and interconnected through trade relations. A few examples of such mutual cooperation are as follows:

•India exports spices and imports crude oil from Gulf countries.

•India exports raw material to China and imports finished steel products in return.

•Western Multinational companies have their client servicing units and back offices in developing countries of Asia and Africa.

•Regional organizations like SAARC, ASEAN, BRICS etc work towards addressing mutual developmental challenges like terrorism, poverty & hunger, providing relief during natural disasters etc. besides improving trade relations with one another.

‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ is a Sanskrit phrase from the ancient text of Maha Upanisha which underlines the idea of the world as one single family. It is a noble idea that teaches people to rise above the differences of caste, creed, colour and race, and to love one another as we love ourselves. We should celebrate all the festival irrespective of our faith. It is important to learn to be tolerant of our differences and appreciate others for their values. We should make an effort to understand diversity and respect other cultures, then only we can realize the true meaning of the great saying.