From Bandung to Ukraine: About decolonisation and about the Cold War

Abstract

The end of European colonial empires - the decolonisation process - was the most important phenomenon of the 20th century. Perhaps, as said by the first president of Senegal Léopold Sédar Senghor, it was 'the phenomenon that has advanced world history the most since the Renaissance.' During the five centuries of their existence, these empires have always faced resistance in several forms. At the end of World War Two decolonisation and the Cold War started almost simultaneously. The decolonisation process lasted grosso modo from the 1940s until the 1980s and even beyond. It mainly consisted of two forms of performance - political independence of previously colonised countries, and a fight for the New International Economic Order (NIEO). The Non-Aligned Movement was an important tool for Third World Countries in their attempts both to stay outside the superpower blocs during the Cold War, and to push forward their campaign for a more just international economy. The UN and the UNCTAD have also served as important arenas for their efforts. After a relatively calm period, a new wave of decolonisation started about thirty years ago. The war in Ukraine since February 2022, and even more the one in Gaza from October 2023 onwards have provoked the chaos where the Third World countries also try to find a better position in an international playground which is in full motion, and to respond to the existential challenges of our planet. The emergence of BRICS has resulted in these Third World countries today being stronger than ever before.