Once upon a time, the USA was known as a superpower with global influence. After the Second World War and Japan’s surrender, the USA emerged as the world’s leading superpower. The rise of the USA led to the decline of British colonialism globally, paving the way for America’s dominance.
This influence was further solidified by two major multilateral institutions, the Bretton Woods twins—the IMF and the World Bank. Subsequently, a new form of colonization began, as these major institutions promoted the interests of first-world countries while classifying the rest of the world as third-world countries. They expanded their global influence, yet the rise of communism in the USSR and China made them cautious, leading to an ideological conflict between capitalism and communism.
The Cold War, backed by major powers, transformed the world from a multipolar arena to a bipolar one. During this period, countries were often pressured to ally with one bloc or another, seeking support from multiple nations.
However, many countries avoided being drawn into this conflict and established the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), strongly advocated by Asian nations. India was among the founders and is recognized as a key initiator of the movement.
This ideology helped to avert a major crisis and the potential outbreak of a third world war. The end of these conflicts led to the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. The Soviet Union collapsed into fifteen independent countries, with Russia emerging as its successor state.
Following these events, the USA became the world’s sole superpower, resulting in an abuse of power. Consequently, the USA is losing the trust of many countries, facing challenges to its hegemony, and prompting more nations to question its policies. China and India are challenging USA’s trade barriers and countering its tariffs to oppose American hegemony, while championing the Global South and promoting a multipolar world, which is expected to play a significant role in global development.
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