Historical
developmental stages of International Relations in the World.
The Western
scholars described multifarious stages of development of IR considering their
affiliation and circumstances. Contrary to western scholars, I present the development of IR in two stages. The first stage before World Wars and the
second stage that started after the end of World War 11. The Western scholars have totally ignored the
momentous historical developments and nationalist movements of the world that
reshaped the contours of the world. These historical developments and movements
greatly contributed to the development of IR in the world. The success of
historical movements for liberation from the bondage of colonialism contributed
for the establishment of the UN in the world and new world. The victory of allied
powers with destruction in Europe and collapse
of European Colonialism actually defeated the victors. Victor and vanquished
both were losers in the history. The
real multifaceted International Relations developed after the end of WW II, the establishment of UN, and the demise of the British Empire.
As we know that International Relations was the branch of political science but
following the Treaty of Westphalia (1648) it gradually acquired the status of
an independent discipline and even surpassed Political Science. The gradual
development of International Relations started its journey from Westphalia to Utrecht, Utrecht to Vienna (1815), Vienna to Versailles (1919) and Versailles to the end of WW 11. The diverse
changes in the European geopolitics, the industrial revolution, philosophies
of political thinkers, the dawn of representative governments, inevitability of
economic interdependence, Nationalism, liberalism, and fight to curb Communism
by Capitalism with the help of Islam, urge for Universal Institution, the supremacy
of International Law. These developments and growing global public opinion for
the amicable settlement of economic, political, and territorial disputes
contributed to the development of IR.
DEVELOPMENT OF
IR before WORLD WARS
Historically IR
existed with the commencement of state. In primitive times the states were so
large that it could not even conducted its own internal affairs efficiently
that's why they deliberately ignored or gave less importance to relations outside
their territory. IR actually started its
gradual journey and got prominence from Peace Treaty of Westphalia 24 October
1648 and now no country can survive without pursuing and following its tenets
in the Global system. IR developed in the period from 1648 to the treaty of Utrecht 1713, which was
period of colonial supremacy in the world by European countries. The 2nd stage
commenced from the Treaty of Utrecht 1713 to Vienna Conference 1815. French
revolution under the Napoleon Bonaparte also contributed to the development of IR.
The related incident like Crimean War 1854-56 and Franco Prussian war 1870-71,
Prussia became unified and powerful empire under Bismarck, decline of Turkish
power in the Balkan and rise of nationalism, the decline of Spanish, Triple
Alliance 1882 and Triple Entente of 1907, growing animosity against
Pax-Britannia and emergence of USA as
economic power also laid the foundation of IR.
Vienna
Conference or concert of Europe to Treaty of
Versailles 28 June 1919
The start and
end of WW1 and rise of Communism posed direct threat to Capitalist countries.
Treaty pushed the people to world war11. Whenever states violated the settled
tenets of Law, the result was obvious annihilation. The Communist revolution in
Russia
in 1917 shocked the philosophies in the world.
Treaty of Versailles 28 June 1919 to
the establishment of UNO in October 1945.
The treaty of Versailles signed by
victors to destroy vanquished changed the scenario. The treaty gave rise to
Nazism in Germany and
Fascism in Italy.
Treaty pushed the people to world war11.
DEBVELOPMNENT OF
IR after WW 11
After the end of
World Wars, developments crumbled the very foundation of colonial powers. The
Communist, Socialist and Liberalist philosophy was rapidly gaining ground in
the world. Political movement for independence in South Asia, Asia and Africa
had weakened the foundation of British Empire.
The people of south Asia valiantly waged
struggle for freedom from Imperialism and foreign bondage. Consequently, two
largest Hindu and Muslim countries in South Asia
emerged on the map of world. The power of centre shifted to America.
Successful Socialist revolution led by Moa in China eroded the power of
Capitalism. The IR developed and consolidated itself after the establishment of
UNO in 1945. There were only 51 states at the time of establishment of UN but
at present, there are more than 194 states of UN system. The international
Relations have come with flying colours and the number of sovereign
international units increased from 51 to 194. The United Nation was established
to save the succeeding generations from the scourge of war and initiated the
process of decolonization. International Relations extended and it brought
within its domain the functioning of international institution, maintaining
world peace and promoting Socio Economic Development. The development IR has
made the world one inhabitable global village. The development of International
Relations has salvaged the subjugated and oppressed humanity from the clutches
of European Colonialism. The development of IR forced world leaders to divert
their attention to the betterment of human security, to relegate idea of war,
cooperate to fight collectively against their common enemy poverty, ignorance
and illiteracy irrespective of race, creed, and religion.
After the end of
world war 11 the world was divided into two antagonist blocks. The Eastern
European countries were fallen to Socialist philosophy. The United States
in order to contain the threatening ideology of Communism established an alliance system, such as North Atlantic Treaty Organization NATO (April 4, 1949), South
East Asian Treaty Organisation SEATO (September 8, 1954), and Central Treaty
Organisation CENTO (February 24, 1955). The former USSR also established WARSAW Pact
(May 14, 1955). Third-world countries emerged, following the initiation of the decolonization process by the United Nations. The countries of the third world also
united under the umbrella of NAM.
IR continuously
developed itself by conducting during the inclement cold war. The establishment
of NAM
following the Bandung Conference compelled both superpowers to reduce their
tension and empowered the UN system. The majority of countries left defense pacts
of superpower. The success of IR has made the 21st century with the new need for
securing an end of international terrorism, movement for the protection of
human rights of all in all forms, protections of the Global environment, and
attaining sustainable development goals through increasing cooperation for the development of entire humanity. These factors have accorded new importance to
Global Politics.
Comments
Post a Comment