Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) : Formation and its relevance

Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) was originated by 25 nations at Belgrade conference. India was among the founding member of NAM. It was started by the Third world nations or the newly independent nation who don’t want to join any of the existing power blocs. Non-alignment movement in this context emerged as most desirable platform which provided these nation independence to follow its own foreign policy. It was adopted by Asian, African, and Latin American countries. For the newly independent countries NAM became a protector to escape from race of militarization promoted by two world power at that time i.e. USSR and USA. Currently there are 120 members of NAM and its summit in 2016 was held in Venezuela.

Why it was formed

Nationalism
The newly decolonized nation was deeply enriched with the feeling of the nationalism and at that point of time was not willing to compromise at any stage with its freedom . These country wanted to protect their integrity and sovereignty. In this context NAM fulfilled the desired requirement and came into existence.

Economic development
At that time all decolonized countries wanted to get rid from poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. They could achieve this only through economic development. So, non align was the best idea for these countries.

Cultural and racial aspects
The newly independent countries shares the common cultural and racial aspects. So to preserve and promote their cultural and racial aspects they came together and unite in form of NAM.

Military alliance
When NAM came into existence it was the time when cold war was at its apex. And military alliance was the key feature of the two power block. They tried to add more and small countries to them, so to avoid this military alliance new decolonized nation opted for policy of NAM as with military alliance their economic and political stability cannot be attained.

Fear of colonialism and imperialism
There was deep seated fear in all the newly decolonized nation that in future they might not get under any powerful nation as colonies for them. So this fear make them unite together and ask for their protection of integrity and sovereignty of nation.

Relevance of NAM

Preservation of the world peace
NAM after so many years of foundation it still abide by its founding principles, idea and purpose i.e. to establish peaceful and prosperous world. It promoted disarmament and even prohibited invasion of any country, henceforth creation a sovereign world order.

Integrity and sovereignty
NAM proved its repeated relevance with the ideal of preserving independence of every nation. NAM endorsed nations integrity and sovereignty and often criticize any countries invasion into others territory.

Platform of Third World nations
Third world countries fighting against sociological- economical problems since they have been exploited for long time by other developed nation, after end of colonization their new motives is to look forward for development. In this situation NAM acted as a protector for these new formed small countries against the western hegemony. Not only this it empowers the member states to take its own decisions without any external influence.

Importance in UN
The total strength of NAM is 120 till 2016. This is a major bloc in the United nation general assembly with the capacity of almost 2/3rd majority, which is important to either approve or block any resolution.

Promoting equitable world order
NAM promotes equitable world order. It specifies same ideal foreign policy for all nation. It act as bridge between political difference existing in the international environment. It arose as consensual policy on burning topic of current world politics to which the vast majority of nation could subscribe.

Counter ambitious countries
NAM constitute of 120 developing nation and this overwhelming strength of this third world nation act as a check on big power ambitions. It stood as a unifying force against the traditional foreign policy of great powers and strictly restricts imperialism, nationalism and universal-ism.

Peaceful settlement of International disputes
NAM since its foundation act as platform that protects the interest of developing countries. It protect it from the huge and influential power in the international sphere, so if disputes arises between developed and developing nation at any point of concerned topic then NAM act as platform which negotiate and conclude disputes peacefully securing the favorable decisions for each member nation.

Alternative world power
NAM with passage of time emerged as the alternative world power. With its strength and its motive to democratize the international system proved its qualification as alternative world order which would promote equality and peace all over the world and even provide new dynamics to the existing world's politics.

Voice of developing nations
NAM is emerging as majority day by day, each year its strength increases which act as a force and give its members to put their point on international issues. For example-NAM recently challenges the Ban-ki-moon decisions on srilanka panel plausible.
Integral component of north-south co-operation-NAM act as a unifying force representing developing countries interest. Hence it plays an important role in north-south dialogue on different issues and accomplishment of different goals for betterment of the world.

Cultural diversity and human rights
NAM is said to be the protector of human rights and propagated the existence of cultural diversity. They even promoted societal-cultural concept and the tolerance of religion. NAM always remain active to secure the human right of every nation and if found it being violated it stand for its protection.

Sustainable development
NAM supported the concept of sustainable development. They even determine what are the factors which hinders the development and discuss it at large where ever get the platform including United Nations.

Counter balance to nuclear war:
It is very true that humanity survived amidst the conflicts in the Stone Age, the Iron Age, in Gun Powder Age and also in the Age of Warships, and Bombers Plane, but there could be no hope of survival in the age of nuclear bombs. Therefore, war could no longer be treated as politics by other means as war in the 21st century would not leave behind any survivors, victors or vanquished. So, NAM is then a pioneer nuclear destruction.

Middle east problems:
The changes in the Middle East is reiterating the fact that as democracy takes root, the US-propped-dictatorships are slowly becoming redundant, thereby reducing US power and influence over the region in comparison with what they originally had. Thus the NAM has become more important than ever before.

Counter to US policies
The NAM has in recent years often criticised the USA while backing the self determination of Puerto Rico and Western Sahara. Since most of its members are developing nations it serves as a great platform for these nations to have their voice felt at the United Nations. It can play a strong role in devising methods to foster cooperation among these nations to ensure sustainable development and will lead to great progress in the fields of science, technology, culture and economics.

Conclusion:

Thus the NAM exists and will continue to exist as a strong organisation to reckon with. Among other reasons for NAM's continued relevance is the fact that India and South Africa- two Nations with the potential to become super powers are members. Also, economic powerhouses in the form of Singapore and Thailand are members. The strong membership from Africa , Asia and South America will be a great way for Nations with similar issues to sort them out and collectively make legitimate demands in global politics. It will in fact have stronger reasons and stronger means to take part actively in matters related to global politics and diplomacy now than in the Cold War era.
 

By: Vishal