Paper: GS – II, Subject: International Relations, Topic: Global Issues, Issue: United States Withdrawals Are Reshaping the Global Order.
Context:
The United States played the pivotal role in establishing the post-World War II international architecture. Recent U.S. policy choices, especially large-scale withdrawals from international organisations and agreements, signal a retreat from this leadership role, raising concerns about the future of the global order.
Key Highlights:
Historical Context: US as Architect of Global Order:
- The United Nations (UN) was created in 1945 in San Francisco to promote international cooperation and prevent future conflicts.
- The Bretton Woods Conference in 1944 led to the creation of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to stabilize the global monetary system and prevent economic crises.
- These institutions aimed to avoid the “beggar-thy-neighbor” policies that exacerbated the Great Depression.
US Deviations and Enduring Support:
- The US has not always adhered strictly to the principles of the systems it created.
- Despite occasional withdrawals from specific organizations (e.g., UNESCO under Ronald Reagan), the US generally supported these global entities.
- US administrations, particularly Republican ones, often criticized the UN’s shortcomings but continued to provide overall support.
Trump Administration’s Challenge to Global Order:
- The Trump administration’s policies have threatened to unravel the global trading and political systems.
- The use of tariffs to extract concessions from other countries has disrupted the global trading system.
- Executive orders have led to the withdrawal from numerous global organizations dealing with issues such as gender rights, migration, and climate change.
- The rationale behind these withdrawals is that American support for these organizations does not serve US national interests.
Specific Actions and Violations of International Law:
- The abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to face drug-running charges in New York is cited as a violation of international law.
- Even if Maduro’s legitimacy was questionable, the manner of his removal disregarded international legal norms.
Impact on Global South and International Organizations:
- Cuts in American bilateral aid have already negatively affected many countries in the Global South.
- The US withdrawal from various organizations will undermine their effectiveness.
- No other major power has the willingness or capacity to fully replace US support.
China’s Role and Limitations:
- China, with its surplus resources, may partially fill the gaps left by the US.
- However, China lacks the normative and institutional commitments to sustain the functioning of these organizations effectively.
Conclusion:
The decision to abandon longstanding American commitments will lead to a harsher and more unjust world. The US retreat from global leadership undermines international cooperation and stability.
Source: (The Indian Express)
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