Abstract
The phase of unipolarity has ended and a new world order characterized as multipolar is emerging. It represents a fundamental break from the last 200 years’ history of Western domination. China’s rise in recent years as a major power is the main causal factor behind the global transformation towards multipolarity.
Nations that had enjoyed a situation of relative independence during the bipolar period lost their autonomy in the unipolar world order dominated by the US. In fact, the whole idea of nation state came under attack during this period. The US hegemony is now being challenged by China, the other (emerging) superpower. The emerging multipolar world order provides some space for independent action to other major powers also (such as Russia). The issues of nationalism and self-determination as being experienced in different parts of the world today are analyzed in this paper using this framework of emerging multipolarity.
Bio
V Upadhyay is Professor of Economics in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Delhi.