Contemporary Centres of Power Class 12 notes
With the end of bipolarity in the world politics in the early 1990s, it became evident that new centres of economic and political power could limit the powers of US dominance. The New Centres of Power emerged in the form of European Union (Europe), the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Asia, SAARC, BRICS in different parts of the world, These organisations tried to transform the countries in the region into prosperous economies. On the other hand, rise of China's economy has also made a great impact on the world politics.
European Union (EU)
After the end of the Second World War in 1945, there was a dilemma among many European leaders over the status of Europe. The Second World War destroyed many of the assumptions and structures on which European states had based their relations. The Cold War aided the integration of Europe after 1945. The European economy was revived by financial support by USA under the Marshall Plan. A new collective security structure under NATO was created by the US.
Economic Influence of EU
The economic influence of European Union is discussed below
The EU is the world's second biggest economy with a GDP of more than $17 trillion in 2016. next to the United States of America,
Its currency Euro can pose a threat to the dominance of US dollar.
The EU's share of world trade is much larger than that of the United States allowing it to be more assertive in trade disputes with the US and China.
It has an economic influence over its closest neighbours as well as in Asia and Africa.
It also functions as an important bloc in international economic organisations such as WTO.
Political and Diplomatic Influence of EU
The political and diplomatic influence of EU is discussed below
The EU also has political and diplomatic influence as two members of EU i.e. Britain and France, hold permanent seats in the UN Security Council with several non-permanent members.
The EU is enabled to influence some US policies such as the current US position on Iran's Nuclear Programme.
Its diplomacy, economic investment and negotiations have been effective as in the case of its dialogue with China on human rights and environmental degradation.
Military Influence of EU
The military influence of EU is discussed below
The EU's combined armed forces are the second largest in the world and also come second after the total spending's of US in defence.
Britain and France as EU members also possess nuclear arsenal of 550 nuclear warheads. It is also the world's second most important source of space and communication technology
The EU is able to intervene in economic, political and social areas. But in many areas member states have their own foreign and defence policy that are often at odds with each other. For example, Britain was by the side of US during the Iraq invasion whereas Germany and France oppose the american policy.
Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established in 1967 with the signing of the ASEAN declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by its founding countries. The founding members of ASEAN are Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. IMPST
Over the years, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Myanmar (Burma) and Cambodia also joined ASEAN taking its strength to ten members.
Therefore ASEAN is a regional organisation which was established to promote political and social stability amid rising tensions among the Asia-Pacific's post colonial states. The motto of ASEAN is One Vision, One Identity, One Community.
Background of ASEAN
The Asian region faced the economic and political consequences of numerous colonialisms, both European and Japanese, before and during Second World War. It faced issues of nation-building, the ravages of poverty and economic backwardness and the pressure to align with one of the great powers during the Cold War at the end of the war.
Objectives of ASEAN
The objectives of ASEAN are as follows
To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development for properous and peaceful community of South-East Asian Nations
To promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law and the principles of the United Nations.
To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interests in the economic, social, cultural, technical scientific and administrative fields.
The current economic strength of ASEAN, particularly its economic relevance as a trading and investment partner to emerging Asian nations like India and China, makes this an attractive proposition. During the Cold War, India's foreign policy did not give ASEAN enough attention to ASEAN. In recent years, however, India has attempted to make amendments. Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are three ASEAN members with which it has linked trade agreements.
In contrast to the EU, ASEAN has no ambition for supranational organisations and institutions. ASEAN countries have praised what has come to be known as the ASEAN Way, a form of informal, non-confrontational and cooperative contact. The functioning of ASEAN depends on the respect for national sovereignty.
BRICS
BRICS is an acronym for five emerging economies of the world - Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa. The term BRIC was coined by Jim O'Neil, the then Chairman of Goldman Sachs in 2001.
BRIC was founded in 2006 in Russia. BRIC turned into BRICS after the inclusion of South Africa in its first meeting in the year 2009. The BRICS leaders summit is convened annually. The 12th Conference of BRICS was concluded in Russia in 2020. It was chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Structure of BRICS
The structure of BRICS comprises of
BRICS does not exist in the form of organisation, but it is an annual summit between the supreme leaders of five nations.
The Chairmanship of the forum is rotated annually among the members in accordance with the acronym B-R-I-C-S.
BRICS cooperation in the past decade has expanded to included an annual programme of over 100 sectoral meetings.
Objectives of BRICS
The objectives of the BRICS can be summarised below
The key objectives of BRICS are primarily to cooperate and distribute mutual economic benefits among its members besides non-interference in the internal polices of each nation and mutual equality.
The BRICS seeks to deepen, broaden and intensify cooperation within the grouping and among the individual countries for more sustainable, equitable and mutually beneficial development.
BRICS takes into consideration each members growth, development and poverty objectives to ensure relations are built on the respective country's economic strength and to avoid competition where possible.
BRICS is emerging as a new and promising political-diplomatic entity with diverse objectives, far beyond the original objective of reforming global financial institutions.
Importance of BRICS for India
The importance of BRICS for India are as follows
India can benefit from collective strength of BRICS by way of consultation and cooperation on economic issues of mutual interests as well as topical global issues, such as international terrorism, climate change, food and energy security, reforms of global governance institutions etc.,
India remains engaged with the other BRICS countries on its NSG membership.
The New Development Bank (NDB) will help India to raise and avail resources for their infrastructure and sustainable development projects. The NDB has approved its first set of loans, which included a loan of US $ 250 million in respect of India for Multitranche Financing Facility for Renewable Energy Financing Scheme.
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