FROM DAVOS TO NAM, UNRAVELLING OF THE OLD-WORLD ORDER, THE END OF PEACE

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THE CONTEXT: Recently, the three summits one in Davos, Switzerland and the other two NAM and G77 in Kampala, Uganda point to the shifting terrain of global politics in 2024. This is indicative of the recognition of emergence of a new world order.

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• Both, the world’s rich and powerful in Davos and the underprivileged in Kampala have a shared problem dealing with structural changes in the international system. The summits also highlight the contrast between the agendas of India and China.
• On the one hand slogans on globalism were highlighted in Davos and on the other hand collectivism of the Global South in Kampala have been put forward.
• The annual gathering at Davos has not been able to take the fact that renewed great power conflict and economic nationalism have affected globalisation.
• However, the summits of the Non-Aligned Movement and the G77 in Kampala are as well insufficient to deal with the challenges and opportunities of the changing world order.

STATUS OF THE WORLD ORDER AFTER COLD WAR:

• The Fall of the Berlin Wall, the Collapse of the USSR and the End of Cold War was followed by a period of relative harmony within the great power constellation dominated by the US.
• On the economic front, the so-called Washington Consensus heralded an era marked by the free movement of capital, goods, services, and labour across borders.
• The era also saw the redistribution of global economic activity to take advantage of cost differentials and policy permissiveness.
• New political ideas of global governance as well emerged along with this economic transformation. It was believed that global problems such as climate change and the world’s increasing economic interdependence required the creation of supranational organizations that go beyond state sovereignty.
• However, the current world order seems to have changed this perception and the Ukraine war seems to be one the indication that long peace between major powers has ended.

ISSUES:

• Rising conflicts: The global scenario is marked by multiple crises, including geopolitical competition, inflation, and conflicts. The Ukraine war has dramatically undermined the journey towards an integrated world, the mounting tensions in East Asia driven by China’s muscular regional policies and a revitalisation of US alliances in the region have added dimensions to it.
• Concern related to China: China’s rising hegemony as economic superpower and its continued efforts to expand its influence pose a potential threat to global security and interests.
• Russia-China Strategic Alignment:The new alliance between Russia and China is among one of the greatest challenges since World War II. Major global powers are unable to address the political resentments of post-Soviet Russia, it is finding it even harder to cope with the ambitions of a rising China.
• Challenges to the Rules-Based Order: There is an emerging challenge to rules-based order with declining influence of multilateral institutions and revival of antagonistic blocs. The issue of loopholes in global institutions, immigration, and climate activism had added the challenges to this order.

THE WAY FORWARD

• Reforms Within the UNSC: There is a need for continuous pushing for reforms within the A more representative and accountable UNSC is the need to take on a more substantial role in addressing global issues.
• Strengthening Regional Organizations:In some cases, regional organizations have taken on security and peacekeeping roles, such as the African Union and the European Union. Depending on the situation, these organizations can address regional conflicts more effectively than a global body like the UNSC.
• Balanced approach: The present-day geopolitical and geostrategic circumstances present a multifaceted challenge to the world order. To ensure global security and sovereignty there should be a balance approach by focussing on the multilateralism.
• Promoting Conflict Resolution and Diplomacy: Major global powers should prioritize diplomatic efforts and conflict resolution over military intervention whenever feasible. The UNSC should invest more in mediation, peacekeeping, and preventive diplomacy to avert crises before they escalate.
• India’s stand: There is a need to maintain and strengthen our own foreign policy approach to tackle uncertain global situation. At the same time, there is a need to exploit the new possibilities to exploit the renewed great power contest for elite or national benefit.

THE CONCLUSION:

The international diplomacy is dynamic and the recent debates of emerging global order have raised the concerns regarding global peace, security and governance. Thus, in the given scenario, multilateral institutions and forums should actively engage to shape global norms and policies. However, at the same time it presents a tremendous opportunity for India to emerge as a global economic powerhouse and as a leader of global south.

UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

 Q.1 “The long sustained image of India as a leader of the oppressed and marginalised nations has disappeared on account of its newfound role in the emerging global order.’ Elaborate. (2019)

Q.2 Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India’s Look East Policy in the context of the post-Cold War international scenario. (2016)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.1 In the light of evolving global order, discuss the challenges for the global peace and security. Outline a comprehensive strategy that world powers should adopt to effectively safeguard multilateralism.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/global-south-wef-davos-summit-nam-g77-global-politics-in-2024-globalism-9112341/