Decolonization and the Rise of the Third World: 1945-2006

Decolonization and the Third World

Item 12: Decolonization and the Third World

Decolonization

After World War II, most European colonies achieved independence, primarily between 1945 and 1965. While there were common causes, the paths to independence varied, with some being peaceful and others violent.

Causes of Decolonization

• The Weakening of the Metropolis: After the war, European powers experienced a loss of legitimacy, and a growing segment of their intelligentsia and society opposed colonial rule. The United Nations Charter also promoted the "right of self-determination." Furthermore, the major powers (the USA and the USSR) opposed colonialism, particularly the USSR, which saw these new nations as potential partners.

• The Formation of Anti-Colonialism: Contact between unequal civilizations, the theft of territory, and the imprisonment of dissidents fueled anti-colonial sentiment among indigenous populations. Since the 1920s, the Comintern, an anti-colonial and anti-imperialist organization, advocated for general insurrection to weaken the capitalist West.

• Nationalist Movements: These movements gained momentum during the 1920s and 1930s. Initially led by indigenous elites, they eventually integrated the masses under charismatic leaders. Their goal was independence, not mere autonomy. Examples include the Indian National Congress led by Gandhi and Nehru. However, a wide variety of movements emerged. After WWII, many transformed into "national liberation movements."

The Non-Aligned Movement

The Bandung Conference marked the beginning of the Non-Aligned Movement, which eventually included over 90 countries, representing two-thirds of humanity. The first conference was held in Belgrade in September 1961, convened by Tito, Nasser, and Nehru, with 25 countries participating. The basic criteria for membership were:

• Independent policy
• Support for national liberation movements
• Rejection of any alliance with a major power or the establishment of foreign bases

The movement invited all countries to join. Subsequent conferences were held in Cairo (1964), Lusaka (1970), and Algiers (1973). However, the movement faced difficulties in implementation, with economic development issues taking priority.

Since the demise of the USSR and the Communist bloc in 1991, the Non-Aligned Movement's role in international politics appears to have diminished. Nevertheless, the organization has persisted, with the last summit held in Havana in September 2006.

Other regional organizations inspired by the spirit of non-alignment have emerged, such as the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the Arab League, and the Organization of American States (OAS). However, the primary instrument of the Third World has ultimately been the United Nations, especially the General Assembly.

The Third World

Following Decolonization: The Third World

French economist Alfred Sauvy coined the term "Third World" to designate countries situated between the Western and socialist blocs, sharing the common characteristic of underdevelopment. Not all of these countries were a result of decolonization, but the term gained prominence and became associated with a collective identity. These nations, primarily in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, had socio-economic demands within the global framework.

The Third World and International Relations: The Bandung Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement

Newly independent states convened in Bandung, Indonesia, in 1955, in what L.S. Senghor described as an "expression of moral rebellion against European domination." They developed a sense of collective identity and issued a 10-point declaration that included:

• Condemnation of colonialism and racial segregation
• The goal of independence for all colonial territories (though there was no agreement on how to achieve it)
• The fight against underdevelopment through international cooperation
• India's proposal to form a third, neutral, non-aligned bloc to promote peaceful coexistence between the Western and socialist blocs (this proposal did not achieve unanimity)

Economic Factors: Aid and Debt

Newly independent countries faced significant economic, technological, and educational challenges. They needed capital and technical expertise, but developed countries often provided aid in exchange for political and economic influence, a phenomenon known as "neocolonialism." Aid came in the form of loans or donations, but much of it was squandered on unnecessary luxuries by corrupt regimes or spent on wars.