The new world – shaped by self-interest

Source- The post is based on the article “The new world – shaped by self-interest” published in “The Indian Express” on 23rd May 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- International relations

Relevance– Changing global order

News- A series of far-reaching events are shaping the 21st century.

What are important lessons from the recent geopolitical events?

The first lesson from global reactions to the war is geography still matters. Proximity and the neighbourhood are considerably more important. We are living in a hyper-globalised world, but we are also more local than ever before.

Social media, trends in technology and politics, and other factors promoted narrow spheres of interest. India was concerned about the Ukraine war and European instability. But Chinese aggression, Covid and the instability of Kabul were more important for it.

The second lesson pertains to the UN vote condemning the Ukraine war. 140 countries voted and condemned Russia. But, only a few sanctioned Russia.

Those sanctioning Russia today are champions of globalisation and development. Others are well within their rights to challenge the status quo.

It is often stated that India is on the fence. India is not on the fence. It is only standing its ground. It will choose its priorities just as every other country has done.

The recent visits by European leaders to China shows that value-based frameworks are untenable. Nations are driven by self-interest and the need to maintain lucrative economic relations. India is no different.

Even after Chinese hostilities on the Himalayan heights, trade relations matter for its economic needs. Distance matters; interest matters even more.

The third lesson derives from recent events. The Covid-19 outbreak saw the hijack of medical equipment and access to vaccines, and growing gaps in treatment capabilities.

When the pandemic struck, there was no superpower, there was no great power, and there was no big power. There were only selfish powers.

Similarly, the Afghan people were abandoned because it is important for higher powers to leave the country at a particular moment.

Chinese territorial incursions have provoked a range of self-serving responses from different actors. Some of these countries talk about defending democracy.

In a nutshell, there is no moral high ground. All that remains is the ruthless pursuit of national self-interest.

What is the importance of the global south in the present context?

If meaningful international dialogue is to be conducted, nations must right-size some of their perceptions about each other and themselves. In this context, Global South can be a possible bridge between competing positions.

But the “Global South” is a simple term, which does not show its heterogeneity. Very few countries would like to be categorised as “southern” as they continue to rise and shape global systems.

The organisation of the South over the next decade will have a far more profound impact than the West on the global balance of power, and on the contours of the new world order.