New World Order
Unipolarity
• The term "New World Order" was popularized by former US President
George Bush.
• It gained prominence when, on August 17, 1990, Bush declared that
Iraq's invasion of Kuwait threatened this New World Order.
• The concept referred to a new unipolar world order dominated by the
United States.
From Bipolarity to Unipolarity
• During the Cold War, the world was characterized by bipolarity,
with the United States and the Soviet Union as the two dominant
superpowers.
• The collapse of the Soviet Union led to the disintegration of the
bipolar world order, leaving the United States as the sole
superpower.
• This shift from bipolarity to unipolarity marked a significant
change in the international system, with the United States
emerging as the dominant global power.
Factors behind unipolar
1. The conclusion of the Cold War led to a restructuring of
international relations, with the absence of a competing
superpower.
2. The dissolution of the Soviet Union further diminished the bipolar
world order, leaving the United States as the predominant global
power.
3. The liberalization of Eastern European countries weakened the
influence of communist ideologies and contributed to a shift
towards Western democratic values.
Economic dependence on American and Western aid among former
Soviet republics, including Russia, reinforced the dominance of
Western powers.
The United States emerged as the sole surviving superpower, with
unparalleled military, economic, and political influence globally.
Universal acceptance of democratic principles, decentralization, and
market economies further reinforced the dominance of Western
ideals and institutions, with the United States at the forefront.
End of History
Also known as post cold war era
The concept of "The End of History" proposed by Francis Fukuyama
suggests that liberal democracy had triumphed as the final form of
government, marking the endpoint of humanity's ideological evolution.
Fukuyama argued that with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the spread
of liberal democratic ideals, there would be no further significant ideological
challenges to liberal democracy.
Main points
• Francis Fukuyama's "The End of History" declares the ultimate victory of
liberal democracy.
• He argues that liberal democracy represents the end point of mankind's
ideological evolution and the final form of human government.
• Fukuyama suggests that the evolutionary struggle of different ideologies has
come to an end.
• According to him, countries will increasingly prefer the liberal democratic
government setup over other systems.
• He predicts that the spread of liberal democracy will lead to the
universalization of Western liberal values, marking the "end of history."
Thoughts of Francis Fukuyama
• Liberal democracy is argued to align more closely with human
nature compared to other forms of government.
• The collapse of communism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe
was attributed to the widespread perception among people that
communism was not a viable form of government.
• The attractiveness of democratic principles led to the eventual
downfall of authoritarian regimes in the region.
Prediction about the future
Fukuyama's forecast for the future is rather gloomy, as he believes
that the "end of history" will bring about a sense of sadness.
He suggests that the traditional human desire for recognition and
identity will be overshadowed by a focus on economic goals and
material wealth.
Despite the victory of liberal democracy, Fukuyama acknowledges
that the world will still face conflicts and difficulties, dismissing the
idea of a completely peaceful and trouble-free era in global history.
The Clash of Civilization
• The Clash of Civilizations" is a theory by Samuel P. Huntington,
introduced in a 1993 article and later expanded into a book in 1996.
• According to this theory, the world after the Cold War will be marked
by conflicts based on cultural and religious differences among major
civilizations.
• Huntington argued that after the Cold War, ideology would become less
important, and cultural and religious identity would become more
significant.
• In this new era, conflicts between civilizations would replace
traditional conflicts between nations, forming "fault line" conflicts
across the globe.
Division of the world (civilizations)
1. Western
2. Confucius
3. Japanese
4. Islamic
5. Slavic Orthodox
6. Latin America
7. Africa
8. Hindu
Major assumptions
• Future conflicts will arise along fault lines between civilizations.
• Civilization represents the broadest form of cultural identity
• Increased interaction within civilizations has led to heightened consciousness of
intra-civilizational differences.
• The West faces non-Western entities with the desire and resources to reshape the
world in non-Western ways.
• Economic regionalism is growing within civilizations, particularly when based on
shared cultural identities.
• Inter-civilizational trade organizations, such as BRICS, involve cooperation among
five major civilizations.
Future of civilizations
• The West must adapt to the rising power and influence of
other civilizations to maintain its global political status.
• Failure to adapt will result in the decline of Western power
or clashes with other influential civilizations.
• A clash between the West and another civilization poses
the greatest threat to world peace and international order.
