The Non-Aligned Movement recently called on the United Nations to allow more states into
the powerful Security Council, and to give emerging states greater self-determination.
But what exactly IS the Non-Aligned Movement, and how relevant is it today?
Well, as is evident by its name, the Non-Aligned Movement is a gathering of states which have
formally pledged to avoid choosing sides with a power bloc.
Today, this concept is somewhat outdated, but during the Cold War, when the group was
formed, it made perfect sense.
With the US and Russia as ideological opposites, the two tried to convert developing countries
around the world to their cause.
But a number of states refused to be part of this divide, and in 1961 an official conference
was held, called “The Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries”,
informally known as the Non-Aligned Movement.
This first meeting was originally created by India, Indonesia, Egypt, Ghana, and Yugoslavia,
all of which sought to avoid the Western/Eastern dichotomy tearing the world apart.
Over time, the movement became considered a sort of “middle way” for countries to
avoid engaging in the Cold War, and was seen as a ‘peaceful third option’.
The NAM also made significant efforts to end colonialism, both within their own ranks,
and among struggling aligned countries.
The movement also exemplified a new concept emerging out of the Cold War, which was the
labelling and distinction of countries as “First, Second, or Third World”.
In a nutshell, Western Countries like the US and those in Western Europe were considered
“First World”, while The Soviet Union and supporters like China and Cuba, were labeled
“Second World”.
Those which were not aligned with either side, mostly developing countries, were called “Third
World”, and despite the end of the Cold War, First and Third World continued to be
used as terms.
As of April 2015, the Non-Aligned Movement was made up of 120 member states, which covers
nearly two-thirds of the United Nations, and more than half the world’s population.
The split between non-aligned and aligned within the United Nations is largely predicated
on a North-South divide.
The majority of globally powerful countries live in the “Global North”, including
the US, Canada, and Western Europe, although additionally countries not located in the
northern Hemisphere are also considered “Global North”, such as Australia and New Zealand.
On the other hand, developing, less powerful regions, such as Africa, Latin America, and
parts of Asia and the Middle East are considered “Global South”, and nearly all Non-Aligned
Countries are ‘Globally Southern’.
With the Cold War over, the Non-Aligned Movement has become less about “alignment with major
blocs”, and more about supporting and protecting the Global South from undue influence by the
Global North.
Nonetheless, despite its large membership, the movement is far from influential.
At the most recent meeting in Venezuela in 2016, less than a dozen heads of state were
in attendance, down from 30 heads of state in the last meeting in 2012.
Although their anti-imperialist goals are clear, most of their members are aligned with
a major power bloc, or at least see benefit from powerful countries like the United States.