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Discusses the shift from a unipolar to a multipolar world, focusing on the roles of Russia, India, and the US.
Imagine a world where a single phone call from Washington could stop a war. Now, imagine that world is gone. What happens when four or five 'superpowers' all want to write the rules of the game at the same time?
For two decades after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, the world was unipolar, dominated by the United States. Today, we have entered an era of multipolarity, a distribution of power in which more than two nation-states have nearly equal amounts of military, cultural, and economic influence. This shift is driven by the relative decline of Western hegemony and the rapid growth of emerging powers. In a multipolar system, global stability depends on complex alliances rather than a single 'global policeman.' This creates a 'Great Power Competition' where the US, Russia, China, and India must constantly negotiate their spheres of influence to avoid direct conflict.
Quick Check
What is the primary difference between a unipolar and a multipolar international system?
Answer
A unipolar system is dominated by one supreme power (hegemon), while a multipolar system involves multiple states sharing significant global influence.
Russia’s foreign policy is centered on the concept of the 'Near Abroad' (blizhneye zarubezhye). This term refers to the independent republics that emerged after the dissolution of the Soviet Union (e.g., Ukraine, Georgia, Kazakhstan). Russia views these areas as its rightful sphere of influence and a vital security buffer against NATO expansion. To reassert its status as a Great Power, Russia utilizes a mix of 'hard power' (military intervention in Georgia 2008 and Ukraine 2022) and 'soft power' (energy dependence via natural gas pipelines). By maintaining dominance over its neighbors, Russia seeks to signal that the era of Western-led global expansion is over.
1. Russia identifies a neighboring country (e.g., Georgia) moving toward a Western alliance like NATO. 2. Russia perceives this as a threat to its 'strategic depth.' 3. Russia exerts pressure—through trade sanctions, cyber attacks, or military 'peacekeeping'—to ensure the neighbor remains neutral or pro-Russian.
Quick Check
Why does Russia consider the 'Near Abroad' essential to its national security?
Answer
It views these territories as a necessary 'buffer zone' to prevent the encroachment of Western military alliances like NATO on its borders.
The BRICS bloc (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) represents a significant shift in global economic weight. These nations argue that the current international financial architecture—specifically the IMF and World Bank—is unfairly weighted toward Western interests. To counter this, BRICS established the New Development Bank (NDB). India, in particular, plays a unique role; it maintains a policy of 'strategic autonomy,' partnering with the West on technology while remaining a core member of BRICS to hedge against US dominance. This 'minilateralism' allows emerging powers to create alternative systems of trade and finance that do not rely on the US dollar.
Analyze India's position in the 'Quad' (security with US/Japan/Australia) versus its position in 'BRICS' (economic cooperation with Russia/China). 1. India joins the Quad to balance China's military rise in the Indo-Pacific. 2. Simultaneously, India buys Russian oil despite Western sanctions to protect its energy security. 3. Result: India leverages multipolarity to maximize its own national interest without becoming a 'client state' of any single power.
Which term best describes the Russian strategy of maintaining influence over former Soviet states?
What is the primary goal of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB)?
In a multipolar world, global stability is maintained by a single 'global policeman' state.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to explain the concept of 'Strategic Autonomy' and identify three countries that belong to the BRICS bloc.
Practice Activity
Find a recent news article about a trade agreement between India and Russia. Identify how this agreement reflects 'multipolarity' rather than 'unipolarity'.