CONTEMPORARY WORLD POLITICS
According to the old syllabus, this chapter is mentioned as chapter-4 in the book- contemporary world politics. But according to the revised syllabus of 2020-21, in our book, it's in chapter -3 and named as "New centers of powers."...( BRICS, India, Israel added topic).
New contents (2020-21)--
♣. ORGANIZATION-
EUROPEAN UNION,
ASEAN,
BRICS,
SAARC
★ NATIONS-
RUSSIA,
ISRAEL,
CHINA,
INDIA,
JAPAN
This chapter talks about how new power centers emerged to provide a check on US hegemony and assess their possible role in the upcoming future.
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Ex- Germany got divided, Italy became weak, British colonies ended. decolonization process started.
★European integration after 1945 was aided by the cold war. American extended massive financial help for reviving the European economy under the Marshall plan. A new collective security structure called NATO was built in Europe by USA.
An initiative of Mr. George c Marshall, US secretary. America provided huge financial help for reviving Europe's economy.
★ Under the Marshall plan-
1.... the organization of European economic cooperation (OEEC) was established in 1948.
The European countries began to cooperate on economic issues as well as on trade matters.
2...in 1949 the council of Europe established and step forward towards political cooperation.
3...In 1957 formation of the European economic community(EEC).
~ European Union has its own foreign and security policy, cooperation on justice and home affairs and single currency.
~ In 2003, European Union tried to make a constitution but failed.
✓ The collapse of the Soviet bloc put Europe on a fast track; resulting in the establishment of the European union in 1992. At that time it has only 12 member states.
✓ it has 12 stars, as the number 12 is traditionally the symbol of perfection, completeness, and unity.
✓ The union currently counts 27 EU countries in 2019.
Member states:: Finland, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherland, Luxembourg, Spain, United Kingdom, Portugal, Greece & Malta, Austria
New member:: Estonia, lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Cyprus & Slovakia, Slovenia
Political influence--
✓ the European Union has gradually developed from an economic to a political union.
✓ It has its own flag , anthem, founding date, and currency.
✓ it aimed to make Europe politically, economically and culturally strong enough to face powers like the USA and Russia.
✓ Britain and France are permanent members of the UN security council. Apart from them some nonpermanent members of the UN security council are also from EU. This enables it to influence US policies.
✓ This has embedded the EU to influence some US policy such as the the current US position on Iran' nuclear programme.
✓ Its use of diplomacy, economic investment, and negotiations rather than coercion and military forces have been effective and better as in the case of its dialogue with China on issues of human rights and environmental degradation...
Economic influence-
✓ EU, the world's biggest economy with a GDP of more than $17 trillion (2016).
✓ Euro can pose a threat to dominance of the US dollar.
✓ the share of the EU was 3 times greater than that of the US and this makeing it more powerful and allowing it to be more assertive in its trade disputes with the USA and CHINA.
✓ its economy is very impressive and does it becomes influential to its neighbours and in Asia and Africa.
✓ it plays a vital role in international economic organisations like the World Trade organization(WTO).
Military influence--
✓ EU combine armed forces are the 2ñd largest in the world.
✓ Total spending on defense is second after the US.
✓ EU member states, Britain and France also have nuclear arsenals of approximately 550 nuclear warheads and arsenals.
✓ EU is also the world's second largest most important source of space and communication technology.
★ EU as a supranational organization-
• As a supranational organization, the EU can intervene in economic, political, and social areas.
• But in many areas, its member states have their own foreign relations and defense policies that are often at odds with each other.
* Limitations*
• Britain's prime minister Tony Blair was America's partner in the Iraq invasion.
• EU's newer member made up the US-led coalition of the willing" whereas Germany and France opposed American policy.
• There is also a deep-seated "Euro-skepticism" in some parts of Europe about the EU's integrationist agenda.
• Thus, for example, Britain's former prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, kept the UK out of the European market.
• Denmark and Sweden have resisted the Maastricht treaty (related to constitution and currency) and the adoption of the Euro, the common currency.
This limits the ability of the EU to act in matters of foreign relations and defense.
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"ASSOCIATIONS OF SOUTH EAST ASIAN NATIONS"
REASONS BEHIND FORMATION OF ASEAN**
1. Before and during the second world war, the South East Asian parts( Thailand, Indonesia etc) of the world has suffered from the economic and political consequences of repeated colonialism.
2. The end of the 2nd World war, they confronted problems of nation-building, poverty and economic backwardness, and the pressure to align with one great power or another during the cold war.
3. Hence, South East Asian countries established the association for Southeast Asian nations[ASEAN]to solve the issues of Southeast Asian countries.
ASEAN was established in 8 August, 1967 by 5 countries by signing the"Bangkok declaration"
Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
Later 5 more countries included-
Brunei Darussalam(1984), Vietnam(1995), Lao PDR and Myanmar (1997), Burma and Cambodia(1999).
OBJECTIVE OF ASEAN**
1- to accelerate economic growth, which will result in social progress and cultural development of the ASEAN.
2- secondary objective was to promote regional peace and stability based on rule of law and principles of the UN charter.
THE ASEAN FLAG-
✓ The 10 stalks of paddy represent the 10 Southeast Asian countries bound together in friendship and solidarity.
✓ The circle symbolises the unity of ASEAN.
✓ The respect for National sovereignty is the criterion to the functioning of ASEAN.
✓ ASEAN countries have celebrated what has become known as the 'ASEAN way'.
✓ In 2003 the ASEAN community established the following three pillars-
1. ASEAN security council
2. ASEAN economic community
3. ASEAN social-cultural community
The security council solves territorial dispute should not escalate into armed confrontations and also promotes regional peace.
The ASEAN Regional forum(ARF) WHICH was Established in 1994, is the organisation that carries out co-ordination of security and foreign policy.
The ASEAN economic community[AEC] aims to create a common market for Asian countries and produce goods.
ASEAN has focused on creating a free trade area[FTA] for investment, labor, and services. the US and China have already move fast to negotiate Free Trade Agreements[FTAs] with ASEAN.
ASEAN social-cultural community is the main motive of ASEAN to increase social progress and cultural development.
This community focuses on disadvantaged groups such as rural workers, women and children.
* The ASEAN vision 2020
The Asean vision 2020 is rapidly growing as the regional organization with the vision 2020 including-
1... Its vision 2020 has been defined as an outward-looking role for the ASEAN in the international community.
This builds upon the existing ASEAN policy to encourage negotiations over conflicts in the region.
Thus ASEAN has mediated the end of the Cambodian conflict, the East Timor crisis, and meats annually to discuss East ASEAN cooperation.
2. ASEAN' strength lies in its policies of interaction and consultation with member states with dialogue partners and other non-regional organizations...
3. it is the only regional association in Asia that provides a political forum where ASEAN countries and the major powers can discuss political and security concerns.
The term BRICS refers to
Brazil(Jair Bolsonaro),
Russia (Vladimir Putin),
India ( N Modi),
China ( Jinping), and
South Africa(Cyril Ramaphosa); respectively.
BRIC was founded in Sept 2006 in Russia. South Africa became its part in Dec 2010 and member in 2011. It talks on globally important issues. It consists of 42% of world population and 23% of world GDP.
These countries are regarded as main engines of growth and development. They dream of making multipolar world.
THE MAIN PRINCIPLES OF BRICS-
1. Promote development for all- BRICS address inequality, removes barriers to SAS and opportunity and respects Human rights local cultures and the environment. It focuses on social infrastructure that serves the most poor providing access to services housing education and supporting local economics.
2. Be transparent and democratic-
BRICS ensure that its documentation, policy development and operations are transparent assessable and participative to all the members.
3. Set some standards and make sure they are followed-
BRICS adopt strong standards to ensure that local communities and the environment benefit rather than are harmed. Its policies and procedures should be informed by the highest internationally available standards on human rights and environmental protection should be consistent with international law.
4. Promote sustainable development-
Given the reality of climate change and the dier impact it is having and will increasing Glee have on prospects for development bricks investment should promote environmentally sustainable long-term solutions. This means respecting community's rights to their lands resources and a clean environment and breaking away from the model of polluting resource intensive, predatory extraction which has long been the reality in developing countries.
The key objective of BRICS -
★ increasing trade cooperation by making and exclusive trade bloc. This can't be handy because after Western sanctions, Russia integrated its economy with BRICS and saved its economy from utter collapse.
★ using currency other than US dollar- since dollar is the dominant currency and US can control the flow of dollar, BRICS helps in the countries operating with alternative currencies.
★ increasing regional cooperation- trade is related to everything. India and China were the only countries which did not condemned Russia from what happened in Crimea. It is happened because there is a big money among the countries.
★ the original objective was that developed countries use to dominate the trade with developing countries so there was a separate trade bloc made for developing countries for trade cooperation.
LIMITATIONS OF BRICS-
BRICS countries are very different both in terms of their resources and terms of their values and goals. The only thing they all have in common is the membership of BRICS.
1. Brazil and China are democratic China and Russia not.
2. Brazil and Russia export hydrocarbons China and India net importers.
3. China and Russia are permanent members of the UN security Council the others are not.
4. Structure of financial system level of income education in equality health challenge also differ substantially within BRICS.
The 11th conference of the BRICS concluded in Brazil in 2019, chaired by Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro.
Initially SAARC was 7 member countries' but in April 2007 Afghanistan joined SAARC increasing its strength to 8.
SAARC objectives are as follows-
1. to provide an integrated programme for regional development.
2. To accelerate economic growth, social progress in the region.
3. To suppress terrorism and smuggling of drugs.
4. It is a regional initiative among South Asian states to evolve cooperation since 1985 onwards.
5. To promote mutual trust, understanding and harmony.
Member countries- Afghanistan( joined in 2007), Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, India and Pakistan.
The 2020 SAARC Summit will take place in Islamabad. Pakistan is aggressively seeking support from smaller South Asian nations to host the SAARC Summit in Islamabad.
SAARC members signed the South Asian free trade agreement [SAFTA],2004 which promised the formation of a free trade zone for the whole South Asia.
* The reason behind SAFTA-
✓ a new chapter of peace and cooperation might evolve in South Asia, if all the countries in the region can freely trade across the borders.
✓ SAARC has projected on economic development of its member states to reduce their dependence on the non regional powers.
✓ The agreement was signed in 2004 and came into effect on 1st January 2006.
✓ Aims lowering trade traffic to 20% by 2007.
** Russia**
Russia has been the largest part of the former Soviet Union even before its disintegration.
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union (in the late 1980s and early 1990s) that is Union of the soviet socialist republic.
✓ Russia's GDP is currently eleventh in the world.
✓ Russia has reserves of minerals and natural resources and gases that made it a powerful country in the global world.
✓ In addition, Russia is a nuclear state with a huge stock of sophisticated weapons.
✓ Russia is also a permanent member of the UN security council called p-5.
**INDIA**
The 21st century India is being seen as an important emerging global power. The world is experiencing the power and rise of India in a multidimensional way.
the economic cultural strategic position of the country with a population of 135 crores is very strong.
from an economic perspective -
1. targeting goal of a 5 trillion dollar economy
2. a competitive huge market
3. ancient inclusive culture
4. 200 million people of the Indian diaspora spreading across the globe impart distinct meaning and silence to hold as a new center of power in the 21st century.
from a strategic perspective -
✓ the military of India is self-sufficient with indigenous nuclear technological making it another nuclear power.
✓ The " make in India" scheme in technology and science is another milestone of the Indian economy.
ISRAEL
Israel is Jewish nation. It has emerged as one of the most powerful nations in the 21st-century; in terms of science and technology, defense, intelligence besides the economy. It is developing very fast.
✓ It rank first on research and development.
✓ World's 5th most innovative country in 2019.
✓ High power in cyber security
✓ water recycle techniques are unique.
Situated in the middle of the burning politics of West Asian countries, Israel has reached a new height of global political standing by its indomitable defence powers.
✓ It ranked amongst 10 best intelligence Agency(2020, MOSSAD INTELLIGENCE AGENCY).
✓ They have high advanced free market economy and research centers.
technological innovations, industrialization and agricultural development attributes towards making Israel as new center of power. In ISRAEL military training is compulsory.
Sustaining against adversities is the principle with which is small Jewish-zionist nation, i.e, Israel is please in the contemporary global politics in general and Arab dominated West Asian politics in particular.
**CHINA**
In starting, China was not a developed country like today.
China's economic success increased since 1978 as a great power...
It is expected that it will overtake the US as the world's largest economy by 2040.
The factors the helps to increase its economies are population, landmasses, resources, regional locations, and political influence.
✓ In 1949, the "people's republic of China" came into being after the communist revolution under the leadership of Mao; its economy was based on the Soviet model.
✓ China adopted socialism and did not choose its links to the capitalist world.
It had little choice but to fall back on its own Resouroces and for a brief period.
This model was to create a state owned heavy industries sector from the capital accumulated from agriculture.
As a result, it was short of foreign exchange that it needed in order to buy technology and goods on the world market.
China decided To substituted imports by domestic goods. This model led China to use its own resources and establish an industrial-economic model that did not exist before.
* Benifits of communism in China**
China assured social welfare and employment to all citizens.
China provided educating to its citizens and ensuring better health for them to move ahead of most developed country.
The economy also grew at a respectable rate of 5-6 percent. But an annual growth of 2-3 percent in population meant that economic growth is insufficient to meet the needs of a growing population.
* Drawback of communism*
Agriculture production was not sufficient.
It's industrial production was not growing fast enough, international trade was minimal and percapital income was very low.
* Finally, there was end of isolationism and communism.
China established its relationship with the United States in 1972.
In 1973, Zhon Enlai proposed the 4 modernizations in the field of agriculture, industry, science and technology and; military.
In 1978, the leader Deng Xiaoping announced the "open-door policy" and economic reforms in China.
The aim was to increase productivity by investment of technology and capital from overseas/abroad.
Chinese adopted a step by step approach towards opening their economy instead of go for shock therapy.
. Privatisation of agriculture in 1982, privatization of industry, 1998 helped to revive economy.
* Creation of special economic zones*
By creating special economic zones helped china in phenomenal rise in foreign trade.
China has become the most important destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) anywhere in the world.
It has large foreign exchange reserves that now allow to make big investment in other countries.
China entered WTO in 2001 has been a further step in its opening to the outside world.
* China as an emerging economic power*
Regionally and globally, china has become an economic power to reckon with.
The integration of China's economy and the inter dependencies that this has created has enabled China to have considerable influence with it's trade partners.
Hence, it's outstanding issues with Japan, the US, ASEAN and RUSSIA have been tempered by economic considerations.
** INDIA-CHINA RELATIONSHIP*
♥ EARLY PHASE OF CORDIALITY-
India and China are two Asian giants who share a huge border covering over 4000 km and a relationship that goes back to five thousand years.
Buddhism spread from India to China.
In 1949, India was among the foremost countries to recognise communist- China.
Both the countries signed the document of Panchsheel in 1954, which was based on mutual equality, non-interference, non-aggression, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
China supported India's liberation of Goa while India supported communist China's claim to a permanent seat in the UN security council.
It was the 'Hindi- Chini' bhai- bhai phase. Which was very popular.
♠ BORDER DISPUTE AND ERA OF CONFLICT-
The border dispute between India and China regarding Arunachal Pradesh(1957) and building a road in Aksai Chin regions of Ladakh in India.
Chinese takeover of Tibet in 1950 which was protested by India.
Going against China, India gave shelter to the Tibetan leader Dalai Lama which became a major bone of contention between the two states.
As a reaction to India, now China started helping pakistan in the wars of 1965 and 1971.
China was against the nuclear test conducted by India (1974).
* EFFORTS FOR NORMALISATION OF INDO-CHINA RELATIONS**
First step was taken by Rajiv Gandhi in 1988.
Both States decided to set up a joint working group(JWG) to settle the border problems.
In 1993, Narshima Rao visited China while Chinese leader Jiang Zemin visited India in 1996. Historic agreement was signed in order to increase confidence, trust and reduce troops along the LOC.
The visit of Chinese President Hu Jianto towards the end of 2006 and further given a boost to one new cordiality in Sino-Indian relations.
The visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping in September 2014 has further given a boost to one new cordiality in Sino-Indian relations.
JAPAN-
You might have heard about famous Japanese brands such as Sony, Panasonic, canon, suzuki, Toyota. They have a reputation for making high technology products.
Japan has very few natural resources and imports most of its raw materials. Even then, it progresses rapidly after the end of 2nd WW.
Japan became the member of the organisation for economic cooperation and development (OECD) in 1964.
In 2017, it is the 3rd largest economy in the world. It is the Asian member of the G-7.
It is the 11th most popular nation in the world.
Japan is the only nation that suffered the destruction caused by nuclear bombs. It is the largest contributor to the regular budget of the UN, contributing almost 10 percent of the total.
Japan's military expenditure is only 1 percent of their GDP. Still it is the 7th largest in the world.
Important words to remember**
European Union- it is a group of European capitalist countries established in 1992 founded for common goals of foreign and security policy, cooperation, and Home affairs.
OEEC- ORGANISATION OF EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COOPERATION ESTABLISHED IN 1948 TO CHANNEL AID TO WEST EUROPEAN STATES TO CO-OPERATE ON TRADE AND ECONOMIC ISSUES.
MARSHALL PLAN- IT WAS INTRODUCED BY AMERICANS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL HELP FOR THE REVIVAL OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMY.
ASEAN- ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS TO ACCELERATE ECONOMIC GROWTH THROUGH SOCIAL PROGRESS AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT.
ASEAN WAY- AN INTERACTION THAT IS INFORMAL NON CONFRONTATIONIST AND COOPERATIVE TO PROMOTE SUPRANATIONAL STRUCTURES.
ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM(ARF)- AN ORGANISATION ESTABLISHED IN 1994 TO PROMOTE COORDINATION OF SECURITY AND FOREIGN POLICY.
SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES- FOREIGN INVESTORS COULD SET UP THEIR OWN ENTERPRISES IN THESE ZONES.
OPEN DOOR POLICY- INVITE INVESTMENT OF CAPITAL AND TECHNOLOGY FROM ABROAD.
3 PILLARS OF ASIAN COMMUNITY:-
ASIAN SECURITY COMMUNITY ASIAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY ASIAN SOCIO-CULTURAL COMMUNITY.
TIMELINE***
APRIL 1951- SIX WEST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, FRANCE, WEST GERMANY, ITALY, BELGIUM, THE NETHERLANDS, AND LUXEMBOURG SIGNED THE TREATY OF PARIS ESTABLISHING THE EUROPEAN COAL AND STEEL COMMUNITY (ECSC).
MARCH 25 1957- THESE SIX COUNTRIES SIGNED THE TREATIES OF THRONE ESTABLISHING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC CURRENCY(EEC) AND THE EUROPEAN ATOMIC ENERGY COMMUNITY ( EURATOM).
JANUARY 1973- DENMARK, IRELAND, AND UNITED KINGDOM JOIN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY.
JUNE 1979- FIRST DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT.
JANUARY 1981- GREECE JOINS THE EC.
JUNE 1985- THE SCHENGEN AGREEMENT ABOLISHES BORDER CONTROLS AMONG THE EC NUMBERS.
JANUARY 1989- SPAIN AND PORTUGAL JOIN THE EC.
OCTOBER 1990- UNIFICATION OF GERMANY.
FEBRUARY 7 1992- TREATY OF MAASTRICHT WAS SIGNED ESTABLISHING THE EUROPEAN UNION.
JANUARY 1993- THE SINGLE MARKET WAS CREATED.
JANUARY 1995- AUSTRIA FINLAND AND SWEDEN JOIN THE EU.
JANUARY 2002- EURO THE NEW CURRENCY WAS INTRODUCED IN THE 12 EU MEMBERS.
MAY 2004- 10 NEW MEMBERS FROM CYPRUS, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, ESTONIA, HUNGARY, LATVIA, LITHUANIA, MALTA, POLAND, SLOVAKIA, AND SLOVENIA JOIN THE EU.
JANUARY 2007- BULGARIA AND ROMANIA JOIN THE EU. SLOVENIA ADOPTS THE EURO.
********The End**********
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