Non-Alignment

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In today’s class, we will be talking about non-alignment. Enjoy the class!

Non-Alignment

Origin of the non-aligned movement

Between 18th and 19th of June, 1956, nations of Yugoslavia, India, and Egypt met in Yugoslavia to deliberate on the crucial issues of the world of which included global insecurity.

There was already an existing cold war between the United States of America and then the Soviet Union who were know and the superpowers of the world.

The founding nations formed a movement known as the Nonaligned Movement and currently have over 113 nations as members.

Meaning of non-alignment

To be nonaligned simply means to be neutral.

In politics, there is the western bloc which represents interests and ideologies of the Western nations such as the USA, Britain, France and the likes. There is also the Eastern bloc headed by Russia. These two blocs are different in ideologies.

Nonalignment is non-involvement of a state to either the Western bloc or the Eastern bloc on global issues. A movement known as the Nonalignment Movement was formed. Nonalignment creates the avenue for developing countries to critically discuss global issues objectively without any form of bias.

Nigeria is not aligned to either the Western bloc or to the Eastern bloc.

Aims and objectives of the non-aligned movement

1. To end colonialism: The movement kicks against all forms of discrimination and helps fight against colonialism in the world.
2. Conflict settlements: They stand as one to support every positive step geared towards settling disputes of every form among member states.
3. Promote territory sovereignty: They ensure that member states enjoy the political right to rule their territories without external influence.
4. Economic and political advancement: Member states enjoy supports for the development of their economies as well as in their political affairs, without the influence or supports from either the Western or Eastern blocs.
5. World peace: Just as the United Nations push for world peace, one of the key objectives of this movement is to strive for global peace across the world.

Problems of the non-aligned movement

1. Poverty: Many non- aligned countries are poor and often dance to the tune of the West or the East for assistance.
2. There is no military strength to enforce obedience of member states who disobey.
3. There is the fear of domination of bigger nations on smaller nations.
4. The difference in cultural backgrounds affects some member states. Some nations have different political and cultural beliefs.
5. Some member states have failed to remain neutral.

Factors that stimulated  the formation of the non-aligned Movement

1. The formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Warsaw pact in 1949 and 1945.
2. The cold war between the USA and Russia.
3. Globalization: The desire to to get involved in global issues without taking directions from superpowers of the world.
4. The independence of India in 1947.

Contributions of the non-aligned movement

1. All nations of the world are free from colonial rule. Currently, among nations of the world, no country is under colonial leadership.
2. The movement supported South Africa during the era of apartheid.
3. The non-aligned movement fought against some policies of the International Monetary Policy that were not in favour of the economies of developing countries.
4. The movement does not agree to the division of the world’s economy into the capitalist and socialist bloc.
5. They have cooperated with other organizations such as the African Union to ensure world peace.

The weakness of the non-aligned movement

1. Ideological differences: Members of this movement have different ideologies. Some are capitalist oriented while some are socialist-oriented and this poses a threat to the existence of the movement.
2. As a result of various ideologies, some member states are either aligned to the Western bloc or to the Eastern Bloch which should not be so.
3. Poor funding is a huge problem of the movement, this is because members are mostly from poor counties and are not able to seek funds from either the capitalist nations like USA, UK or from the socialist bloc of Russia.
4. The movement does not have its own standing army to ensure that when crises such as war arise, military aid would be on stand by to curb violence and enforce obedience.
5. The fear of domination by stronger countries affects the unity that ought to exist in the movement among member states especially the smaller nations.

Summary

To be nonaligned is to remain neutral in the political affairs of the Western and Eastern blocs and while neutral nations are not expected to seek grants and aids from these blocs which often is a challenge for third world nations.

General evaluation

1. What is nonalignment?
2. State four contributions and problems of nonalignment move!end.
3. Mention two founding nations of the nonaligned movement.

Assignment

1. Discuss five reasons Nigeria adopted the nonalignment principle.
2. State four problems of nonaligned Movement.
3. Give four solutions to the problems of nonaligned Movement.

 

In our next class, we will be talking about International Organization – Organization of African Unity (O.A.U.). We hope you enjoyed the class.

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