Post-WWII World Order and Globalization
The New World Order
After the Second World War, the world was divided into two main blocks: the U.S. and the USSR. In 1991, the Club of Rome issued a report entitled The First Global Revolution, outlining the characteristics of the new world order, including strong urban growth, population explosion, awakening of minorities, interdependence of nations, expansion of international markets led by the U.S., European Union, and Japan, uneven economic growth, environmental changes, advances in high technologies, and loss of ethical values.
Geopolitical Shifts
With the disintegration of the USSR, several countries declared independence, reshaping the global map. These include Lithuania, Belarus, Georgia, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Chechnya, Yugoslavia, and Czechoslovakia. Yugoslavia further divided into five states: Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Serbia, and Macedonia.
Neoliberalism
Neoliberalism, an economic policy advocating minimal state intervention, gained prominence in the 1980s with Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher. It proposes reducing inflation, raising consumption taxes, reducing production taxes, privatization, and deregulation to foster economic growth. However, it has faced criticism for economic crises, globalization’s standardization of thought, and widening income inequality.
Transition to Democracy
Post-Soviet states transitioned from socialism to democracy, often influenced by imperialist governments. This period saw increased public participation, economic expansion of capitalism, advancements in communication (e.g., TV), democratic development, crises, improvements in education and health, and migration from rural to urban areas.
Global Conflicts
Types of Conflicts
Nonviolent Conflict
- Latent: Potential for violence but currently low tension.
- Manifest: High tension without direct confrontation.
Violent Conflict
- Crisis: Cyclical periods of open confrontation.
- Severe Crisis: Pre-war stage.
- War: Active conflict with limited possibility of agreement.
Causes of Conflicts
- Territorial disputes
- Historical grievances
- Economic factors
- Ethnic or racial tensions
- Lack of democracy and social inequality
- Competition for resources (e.g., oil)
- Struggle for prestige
Examples
- The Gulf War: Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait and the subsequent U.S.-led intervention.
- The Yugoslav Wars: Conflicts in the Balkans driven by authoritarian rule, resolved with NATO intervention.
Globalization
Globalization is the process of increasing interdependence of markets and production across countries. Key organizations include the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development), which promotes economic understanding between countries, and the ILO (International Labor Organization), which aims to improve working conditions. The World Bank (WB) focuses on development in less industrialized countries, while the IMF (International Monetary Fund) ensures economic stability during changes.
Pros and Cons
Globalization aims for free trade and economic integration. However, it faces criticism for global crises, the dominance of capitalism, environmental damage from large industries, and the standardization of thought and consumerism.