I'm sure you've heard this story before. At the end of the Second World War the stage was set for an epic struggle between the forces of the USA and capitalism on one side versus the USSR and the Communist Bloc on the other. Neither side would tolerate the success of the other and both had a world to win. Against this backdrop, however, many took exception to the prospect of living in a world dominated by two militaristic superpowers treating other countries as expendable chess pieces in their pissing contest, and thus was born the Non-Aligned Movement. Over time this rag-tag group of idealists grew in size and strength, bringing together liberal democracies, tinpot dictators and dissident Communists, until they were able to challenge, and ultimately defeat, the two superpowers, ushering in a new order of national self-determination, international cooperation and anti-imperialism.
But what if it were otherwise? What would the world be like if the NAM had never become the major force it was in world politics, and instead either the USA or the USSR was able to emerge triumphant as the undisputed hegemon of the world?
But what if it were otherwise? What would the world be like if the NAM had never become the major force it was in world politics, and instead either the USA or the USSR was able to emerge triumphant as the undisputed hegemon of the world?