Chapter 2

Contemporary
Centres of Power
Overview
After the end of the bipolar
structure of world politics in
the early 1990s, it became
clear that alternative centres of
political and economic power
could limit America’s dominance.
Thus, in Europe, the European
Union (EU) and, in Asia, the
Association of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN), have emerged
as forces to reckon with. While
evolving regional solutions to
their historical enmities and
weaknesses, both the EU and the
ASEAN have developed alternative
institutions and conventions
that build a more peaceful and
cooperative regional order and
have transformed the countries
in the region into prosperous
economies. The economic rise
of China has made a dramatic The two images here represent two phases of the history of
impact on world politics. In this China. The red poster – “The Socialist Road is the Broadest
of All” – represents the ideology that guided China during its
chapter, we take a look at some
early phase after the Revolution. The photograph below is that
of these emerging alternative of the city of Shanghai, the symbol of China’s new economic
centres of power and assess their power.
possible role in the future.

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 16 Contemporary World Politics

European Union (OEEC) was established in 1948 to

channel aid to the west European
As the Second World War came to states. It became a forum where
an end, many of Europe’s leaders the western European states
grappled with the ‘Question began to cooperate on trade and
of Europe’. Should Europe be economic issues. The Council of
allowed to revert to its old rivalries Europe, established in 1949, was
or be reconstructed on principles another step forward in political
and institutions that would cooperation. The process of
contribute to a positive conception economic integration of European
of international relations? The capitalist countries proceeded
Second World War shattered many step by step (see Timeline of
of the assumptions and structures
European Integration) leading to
on which the European states had
the formation of the European
based their relations. In 1945, the
Economic Community in 1957.
European states confronted the
This process acquired a political
ruin of their economies and the
dimension with the creation
destruction of the assumptions
of the European Parliament.
and structures on which Europe
The collapse of the Soviet bloc
had been founded.
put Europe on a fast track and
European integration after resulted in the establishment
1945 was aided by the Cold of the European Union in 1992.
War. America extended massive The foundation was thus laid for
financial help for reviving Europe’s a common foreign and security
economy under what was called policy, cooperation on justice and
the ‘Marshall Plan’. The US also home affairs, and the creation of
created a new collective security a single currency.
structure under NATO. Under the
Marshall Plan, the Organisation for The European Union has
European Economic Cooperation evolved over time from an
economic union to an
increasingly political one. The
EU has started to act more as a
nation state. While the attempts
to have a Constitution for the
EU have failed, it has its own
flag, anthem, founding date, and
currency. It also has some form
The European Union Flag of a common foreign and security
The circle of gold stars stands for solidarity and harmony between policy in its dealings with other
the peoples of Europe. It has twelve stars, as the number twelve is nations. The European Union
traditionally the symbol of perfection, completeness and unity. has tried to expand areas of
Source: http://europa.eu/abc/symbols/emblem/index_en.htm cooperation while acquiring new

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 Contemporary Centres of Power 17

European Union Map

Older Members
New Members Finland

Sweden
Estonia

Latvia
Denmark
Lithuania

Ireland Netherlands
United
Kingdom Poland

Belgium Germany
Czech
Republic
kia
Luxembourg Slova
Austria
Hungary
France
Romania
Croatia
Ita
ly Slovenia

Bulgaria
Portugal

Spain

Greece

Malta

Cyprus

members, especially from the Union’s GDP is projected to be

erstwhile Soviet bloc. The process approximately $19.35 trillion
has not proved easy, for people in the year 2024. Its currency,
in many countries are not very the euro, can pose a threat to
enthusiastic in giving the EU the dominance of the US dollar.
powers that were exercised by Its share of world trade is much
the government of their country. larger than that of the United Oh, now I know what a
There are also reservations about States allowing it to be more Schengen visa means!
assertive in trade disputes with Under the Schengen
including some new countries
the US and China. Its economic agreement, you have to
within the EU. get a visa from just one of
power gives it influence over its
the EU countries and that
The EU has economic, closest neighbours as well as in allows you entry in most
political and diplomatic, and Asia and Africa. It also functions as of the other European
military influence. The European an important bloc in international Union countries.

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 18 Contemporary World Politics

of the EU, France, holds permanent

TIMELINE OF EUROPEAN seat on the UN Security Council.
INTEGRATION The EU includes several non-
1951 April: Six west European countries, France, West
per manent members of the
Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg UNSC. This has enabled the EU
sign the Treaty of Paris establishing the European Coal and to influence some US policies
Steel Community (ECSC). such as the current US position
1957 March 25: These six countries sign the Treaties of Rome on Iran’s nuclear programme.
establishing the European Economic Community (EEC) and Its use of diplomacy, economic
the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). investments, and negotiations
1973 January: Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom rather than coercion and military
join the European Economic Community (EEC). force has been effective as in the
1979 June: First direct elections to the European Parliament case of its dialogue with China on
1981 January: Greece joins the EEC. human rights and environmental
degradation.
1985 June: The Schengen Agreement abolishes border
controls among the EEC members. Militarily, the EU’s combined
1986 January: Spain and Portugal join the EEC. armed forces are the second
largest in the world. Its total
1990 October: Unification of Germany.
spending on defence is second
1992 February 7: The Treaty of Maastricht was signed after the US. One EU member
establishing the European Union (EU).
state, France, also has nuclear
1993 January: European Economic Community (EEC) was arsenals of approximately
renamed the European Community (EC).
335 nuclear warheads. It is
1995 January: Austria, Finland and Sweden join the EU. also the world’s second most
2002 January: Euro, the new currency, was introduced in important source of space and
the 12 EU members. communications technology.
2004 May: Ten new members, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, As a supranational organi-
Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia
sation, the EU is able to intervene
and Slovenia join the EU.
in economic, political and social
2007 January: Bulgaria and Romania join the EU. Slovenia areas. But in many areas its
adopts the Euro.
member states have their own
2009 December: The Lisbon Treaty came into force. foreign relations and defence
2012 : The EU is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. policies that are often at odds
2013: Croatia becomes the 28th member of the EU.
with each other. Thus, Britain’s
Prime Minister Tony Blair was
2016: Referendum in Britain, 51.9 per cent voters decide that
America’s partner in the Iraq
Britain exit (Brexit) from the EU.
invasion, and many of the EU’s
newer members made up the
economic organisations such as
US-led ‘coalition of the willing’
the World Trade Organisation
whereas Germany and France
(WTO).
opposed American policy. There
The EU also has political and is also a deep-seated ‘Euro-
diplomatic influence. One member skepticism’ in some parts

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 Contemporary Centres of Power 19

© Ares, Cagle Cartoons Inc.

The cartoon appeared in 2003 when the European Union’s initiative to draft a
common constitution failed. Why does the cartoonist use the image of the ship
Titanic to represent EU?

of Europe about the EU’s region of Asia? Before and during

integrationist agenda. Thus, for the Second World War, this region
example, Britain’s former prime of Asia suffered the economic and
minister, Margaret Thatcher, political consequences of repeated
kept the UK out of the European colonialisms, both European and
Market. Denmark and Sweden Japanese. At the end of the war,
have resisted the Maastricht it confronted problems of nation-
Treaty and the adoption of the building, the ravages of poverty
euro, the common European and economic backwardness and
currency. This limits the ability of the pressure to align with one
the EU to act in matters of foreign great power or another during
relations and defence. the Cold War. This was a recipe
for conflict, which the countries

Association of South of Southeast Asia could ill afford.

Efforts at Asian and Third World
East Asian Nations unity, such as the Bandung Imagine what would

(ASEAN) Conference and the Non-Aligned happen if they have

a European Union
Movement, were ineffective in
football team!
Take a look at the political map of establishing the conventions
the world. Which countries would for informal cooperation and
you say fall in the southeastern interaction. Hence, the Southeast

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 20 Contemporary World Politics

Map of East Asia and Pacific Cambodia joined ASEAN

taking its strength to ten.
Unlike the EU there is
little desire in ASEAN for
supranational structures
and institutions. ASEAN
countries have celebrated
what has become known as
the ‘ASEAN Way’, a form of
interaction that is informal,
non-confrontationist and
cooperative. The respect
for national sovereignty is
critical to the functioning
of ASEAN.
With some of the fastest
growing economies in the
world, ASEAN broadened
its objectives beyond
the economic and social
Source: http://www.unicef.org/eapro/EAP_map_final.gif spheres. In 2003, ASEAN
Note: Maps on this site do not reflect a position by UNICEF on the legal status of any moved along the path of the
country or territory or the delimitation of any frontiers. EU by agreeing to establish
an ASEAN Community
Asian alternative by establishing comprising three pillars,
the Association of South East namely, the ASEAN Security
Asian Nations (ASEAN). Community, the ASEAN Economic
Community and the ASEAN Socio-
ASEAN was established in
Cultural Community.
Locate 1967 by five countries of this
the ASEAN region — Indonesia, Malaysia,
members on the Philippines, Singapore
the map. Find and Thailand — by signing
the location the Bangkok Declaration. The
of the ASEAN objectives of ASEAN were primarily
Secretariat. to accelerate economic growth
and through that ‘social progress
and cultural development’. A
secondary objective was to
promote regional peace and The ASEAN Flag
stability based on the rule of law In the ASEAN logo, the ten stalks of
and the principles of the United paddy (rice) represent the ten Southeast
Asian countries bound together in
Nations Charter. Over the years,
friendship and solidarity. The circle
Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, symbolises the unity of ASEAN.
Lao PDR, Myanmar (Burma) and Source : www.aseansec.org

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 Contemporary Centres of Power 21

The ASEAN security organisation. Its Vision 2020 has

community was based on the defined an outward-looking role
conviction that outstanding for ASEAN in the international
territorial disputes should not community. This builds on the
escalate into armed confrontation. existing ASEAN policy to encourage
By 2003, ASEAN had several negotiation over conflicts in the
Isn’t India a part of
agreements in place by which region. Thus, ASEAN has mediated
Southeast Asia? The
member states promised to uphold the end of the Cambodian conflict, north-eastern states
peace, neutrality, cooperation, the East Timor crisis, and meets are so close to the
non-interference, and respect annually to discuss East Asian ASEAN countries.
for national differences and cooperation.
sovereign rights. The ASEAN The current economic strength
Regional Forum (ARF), which of ASEAN, especially its economic
was established in 1994, is the r elevance as a trading and
organisation that carries out investment partner to the growing
coordination of security and Asian economies such as India and
foreign policy. Who
China, makes this an attractive
are the
ASEAN was and still proposition. During the Cold War
members
remains principally an economic years Indian foreign policy did not
of the
association. While the ASEAN pay adequate attention to ASEAN.
ASEAN
region as a whole is a much But in recent years, India has tried
Regional
smaller economy compared to to make amends. It signed trade
Forum
the US, the EU, and Japan, its agreements with three ASEAN
(ARF)?
economy is growing much faster members, Malaysia, Singapore and
than all these. This accounts for
the growth in its influence both
in the region and beyond. The
objectives of the ASEAN Economic
Community are to create a
common market and production
base within ASEAN states and
to aid social and economic
development in the region. The
Economic Community would also
like to improve the existing ASEAN
Dispute Settlement Mechanism to
resolve economic disputes. ASEAN
has focused on creating a Free
Trade Area (FTA) for investment,
labour, and services. The US and
China have already moved fast to
Keshav, The Hindu
negotiate FTAs with ASEAN.
India’s ‘Look East’ Policy since the early 1990s and ‘Act East’ Policy
ASEAN is rapidly growing since 2014 have led to greater economic interaction with the East
into a very important regional Asian nations (ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea).

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22 Contemporary World Politics

Thailand. The ASEAN-India regional affairs. The strength of

FTA came into effect in 2010. its economy, together with other
ASEAN’s strength, however, lies factors such as population, land
in its policies of interaction and mass, resources, regional location
consultation with member states, and political influence, adds to its
with dialogue partners, and with power in significant ways.
Why did ASEAN other non-regional organisations.
After the inception of the
succeed whereas It is the only regional association
SAARC did not? People’s Republic of China in
in Asia that provides a political
1949, following the communist
forum where Asian countries and revolution under the leadership
the major powers can discuss of Mao, its economy was based on
political and security concerns. the Soviet model. The economically
backward communist China chose
to sever its links with the capitalist
world. It had little choice but to
fall back on its own resources
and, for a brief period, on Soviet
aid and advice. The model was
to create a state-owned heavy
industries sector from the capital
accumulated from agriculture. As
Leaders release postal stamps to commemorate silver jubilee of India
it was short of foreign exchange
and ASEAN partnership in New Delhi on 25 January 2018 that it needed in order to buy
technology and goods on the
The Rise of the Chinese world market, China decided to
substitute imports by domestic
Economy goods.
Let us now turn to the third major This model allowed China
alternative centre of power and to use its resources to establish
our immediate neighbour, China. the foundations of an industrial
The cartoon on the following economy on a scale that did not
page sums up the current mood exist before. Employment and
all over the world about the rise social welfare was assured to all
of China as an economic power. citizens, and China moved ahead
China’s economic success since of most developing countries
1978 has been linked to its rise in educating its citizens and
as a great power. China has been ensuring better health for them.
the fastest growing economy since The economy also grew at a
the reforms first began there. It is respectable rate of 5-6 per cent.
projected to overtake the US as But an annual growth of 2-3
the world’s largest economy by per cent in population meant
2040. Its economic integration that economic growth was
into the region makes it the driver insufficient to meet the needs of a
of East Asian growth, thereby growing population. Agricultural
giving it enormous influence in production was not sufficient to

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 Contemporary Centres of Power 23

generate a surplus for industry. In

Chapter 1, we discussed the crisis
of the state controlled economy
in the USSR. A similar crisis was
to face China too: its industrial
production was not growing fast
enough, international trade was
minimal and per capita income
was very low.

© Deng Coy Miel, Cagle Cartoons Inc.

The Chinese leadership took
major policy decisions in the
1970s. China ended its political
and economic isolation with
the establishment of relations
with the United States in 1972.
Premier Zhou Enlai proposed the
‘four modernisations’ (agriculture,
industry, science and technology
and military) in 1973. By 1978,
the then leader Deng Xiaoping
announced the ‘open door’ policy The Great Wall and Dragon are two symbols most commonly
and economic reforms in China. associated with China. This cartoon uses both these to depict
The policy was to generate higher China’s economic rise. Who do you think is the little man in this
cartoon? Can he stop the dragon?
productivity by investments of
capital and technology from
abroad. Privatisation of agriculture led to
a remarkable rise in agricultural
China followed its own path
production and rural incomes.
in introducing a market economy.
High personal savings in the rural
The Chinese did not go for ‘shock
economy lead to an exponential
therapy’ but opened their economy
growth in rural industry. The
step by step. The privatisation of
Chinese economy, including
agriculture in 1982 was followed by
both industry and agriculture,
the privatisation of industry in 1998.
grew at a faster rate. The new
Trade barriers were eliminated only
trading laws and the creation
in Special Economic Zones (SEZs)
of Special Economic Zones led
where foreign investors could
to a phenomenal rise in foreign
set up enterprises. In China, the
trade. China has become the most
state played and continues to
important destination for foreign
play a central role in setting up a
direct investment (FDI) anywhere
market economy. A total of 6 SEZs in
in the world. It has large foreign
China and more than
The new economic policies exchange reserves that now allow 200 approved SEZs in
helped the Chinese economy it to make big investment in other India! Is this good for
to break from stagnation. countries. China’s accession to the India?

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 24 Contemporary World Politics

WTO in 2001 has been a further

© Mike Lane, Cagle Cartoons Inc.

step in its opening to the outside

world. The country plans to
deepen its integration into the
world economy and shape the
future world economic order.
While the Chinese economy
has improved dramatically, not
everyone in China has received
the benefits of the reforms.
Unemployment has risen in
China with nearly 100 million
people looking for jobs. Female
employment and conditions of
work are as bad as in Europe of
the eighteenth and nineteenth
centuries. Environmental
degradation and corruption
have increased besides a rise
in economic inequality between
rural and urban residents and
coastal and inland provinces.
China then and now
H o w e v e r, r e g i o n a l l y an d
globally, China has become an
© Ares, Cagle Cartoons Inc.

economic power to reckon with.

The integration of China’s economy
and the inter-dependencies that
this has created has enabled China
to have considerable influence
with its trade partners. Hence, its
outstanding issues with Japan,
the US, ASEAN, and Russia
have been tempered by economic
considerations. It hopes to resolve
its differences with Taiwan, which
it regards as a renegade province,
by integrating it closely into its
economy. Fears of China’s rise
Chinese bicycle have also been mitigated by its
Like the opening images for this chapter, the first cartoon contributions to the stability of the
comments on the change in China’s orientation. The second ASEAN economies after the 1997
cartoon uses the symbol of the bicycle — China is the largest user
financial crisis. Its more outward
of bicycles in the world — to comment on a duality in today’s
China. What is this duality? Can we call this a contradiction? looking investment and aid

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Contemporary Centres of Power 25

policies in Latin America and was popular. However, Chinese

Africa are increasingly projecting aggression on the Indian border
it as a global player on the side of has marred that hope. Soon after
developing economies. independence, both states were
involved in differences arising
India – China Relations from the Chinese takeover of Tibet
in 1950 and the final settlement of
India and China were great the Sino-Indian border. China and
powers in Asia before the advent India were involved in a border
of Western imperialism. China conflict in 1962 over competing
had considerable influence and territorial claims principally in
control on the periphery of its Arunachal Pradesh and in the
borders based on its unique Aksai Chin region of Ladakh.
tributary system. At different
The conflict of 1962, in which
times in China’s long history of
India suffered military reverses,
dynastic rule, Mongolia, Korea,
had long-ter m implications
parts of Indo-China, and Tibet
for India–China relations.
accepted China’s authority.
Diplomatic relations between the
Various kingdoms and empires
two countries were downgraded
in India also extended their until 1976. Thereafter, relations
influence beyond their borders. between the two countries began
In both cases this influence was to improve slowly. After the change
political, economic and cultural. in China’s political leadership
However, the regions where India from the mid to late 1970s,
and China exercised influence China’s policy became more
rarely ever overlapped. Thus, pragmatic and less ideological.
there was limited political and So it was prepared to put off
cultural interaction between the settlement of contentious
the two. The result was that issues while improving relations
neither country was very familiar with India. A series of talks to
with the other. In the twentieth resolve the border issue were also
century, when both nations initiated in 1981.
confronted each other, they had
Since the end of the Cold
some difficulty evolving a foreign
War, there have been significant
policy to deal with each other.
changes in India–
After India regained its China relations. Their Chinese President
independence from Britain, and relations now have a Xi Jinping paid a visit
China expelled the foreign powers, strategic as well as an to India in 2019. Prime
there was hope that both would economic dimension. Minister Narendra Modi
come together to shape the future Both view themselves visited China in 2018.
Find out about the
of the developing world and of Asia as rising powers in
agreements signed
particularly. For a brief while, the global politics, and
during their visits.
slogan of ‘Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai’ both would like to play

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 26 Contemporary World Politics

countries have agreed to cooperate

with each other in areas that could
otherwise create conflict between
the two, such as bidding for energy
deals abroad. At the global level,
STEPS
India and China have adopted
 Divide the classroom into three groups.
similar policies in international
 Assign each group one organisation to work on a economic institutions like the
fact file on the EU, ASEAN and SAARC. World Trade Organisation.
 Students have to prepare a fact file that contains
information on the objectives, functions and recent India’s nuclear tests in 1998,
activities of these organisations. Pictures of the was justified on the grounds of a
conferences / summit meetings can be collected. threat from China, did not stop
greater interaction. It is true that
 Each group is to present its fact file before the class.
China was seen as contributing to
Ideas for the Teacher
the build up of Pakistan’s nuclear
 The teacher is to focus on the functions of these organisations. programme. China’s military
 Draw the attention of students to the achievements of regional relations with Bangladesh and
organisations.
Myanmar were viewed as hostile
 Link the role of regional economic organisations to the over all
to Indian interests in South Asia.
development of the member countries.
However, none of these issues is
 Sensitise students to the growing importance of regional
economic organisations as an alternative approach to the
likely to lead to conflict between
peace and security of the world. the two. One sign of this is that
the talks to resolve the boundary
a major role in the Asian economy question have continued without
and politics. interruption and military-to-
military cooperation is increasing.
Rajiv Gandhi’s visit to China
Indian and Chinese leaders and
in December 1988 provided the
officials visit Beijing and New
impetus for an improvement in
Delhi with greater frequency,
India–China relations. Since then
and both sides are now becoming
both governments have taken
more familiar with each other.
measures to contain conflict and
Increasing transportation and
maintain ‘peace and tranquility’ on communication links, common
the border. They have also signed economic interests and global
agreements on cultural exchanges concerns should help establish
and cooperation in science and a more positive and sound
technology, and opened four relationship between the two most
border posts for trade. With India– populous countries of the world.
China trade growing at 30 per Recently the relation between
cent per year since 1999, a more the two countries has taken
positive perspective on relations a downslide. Border disputes,
with China has emerged. Bilateral China-Pakistan economic corridor
Some people say
Chinese products are
trade between India and China and China’s support to Pakistan
going to flood our has increased from $338 million in UN against India’s move to
market? But where in 1992 to more than $84 billion counter terrorism are some of the
are they? in 2017. More recently, both factors for it.

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 Contemporary Centres of Power 27

Japan
You might have heard about famous Japanese brands such as
Sony, Panasonic, Canon, Suzuki, Honda, Toyota, Mazda. They have
a reputation for making high-technology products. Japan has very
few natural resources and imports most of its raw materials. Even then
it progressed rapidly after the end of the Second World War. Japan
became a member of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD) in 1964. In 2017, it is the third largest economy
in the world. It is the only Asian member of the G-7. It is the eleventh
most populous nation in the world.
Japan is the only nation that suffered the destruction caused by
nuclear bombs. It is the second largest contributor to the regular
budget of the UN, contributing almost 10 per cent of the total. Japan
has a security alliance with the US since 1951. As per Article 9 of the
Japanese Constitution, “the Japanese people forever renounce war as
a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means
of settling international disputes.” Although Japan’s military expenditure
is only one per cent of its GDP, it is the seventh largest in the world. ASIMO, the world’s most advanced
Keeping all this in mind, do you think Japan can effectively function humanoid robot, walking with a
person while holding hand
as an alternative centre of power?
Credit: http://asimo.honda.com
Also find out about major agreements signed during high-level bilateral
visits between the two nations in the recent past.

South Korea
The Korean peninsula was divided into South Korea (Republic of Korea) and North Korea (Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea) at the end of the Second World War along the 38th Parallel. The Korean War
during 1950-53 and dynamics of the Cold War era further intensified the rivalries between the two sides.
Both the Koreas finally became Members of the UN on 17 September 1991.
Meanwhile, South Korea emerged as a centre of power
in Asia. Between the 1960s and the 1980s, it rapidly
developed into an economic power, which is termed
as “Miracle on the Han River”. Signalling its all-round
development, South Korea became a Member of
the OECD in 1996. In 2017, its economy is the eleventh
largest in the world and its military expenditure is the
tenth largest.
According to the Human Development Report 2016, the HDI Skyline of Seoul city near the Han River
rank of South Korea is 18. The major factors responsible for its Credit: http://english.seoul.go.kr
high human development include “successful land reforms,
rural development, extensive human resources development and rapid equitable economic growth.”
Other factors are export orientation, strong redistribution policies, public infrastructure development,
effective institutions and governance.
The South Korean brands such as Samsung, LG and Hyundai have become renowned in India. Numerous
agreements between India and South Korea signify their growing commercial and cultural ties. Find out
about major agreements signed in the recent past.

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 28 Contemporary World Politics

1. Arrange the following in chronological order.

a. China’s accession to WTO b. Establishment of the EEC
c. Establishment of the EU d. Birth of ARF
2. The ‘ASEAN Way’
a. Reflects the life style of ASEAN members
E x e r c i s e s
b. A form of interaction among ASEAN members that is informal
and cooperative
c. The defence policy followed by the ASEAN members
d. The road that connects all the ASEAN members
3. Which of the following nations adopted an ‘open door’ policy?
a. China b. South Korea c. Japan d. USA
4. Fill in the blanks:
a. The border conflict between China and India in 1962 was
principally over ______________ and __________________ region.
b. ARF was established in the year ______________________ .
c. China entered into bilateral relations with __________ (a major
country) in 1972.
d. ________________ Plan influenced the establishment of the
Organisation for European Economic Cooperation in 1948.
e. ___________ is the organisation of ASEAN that deals with security.
5. What are the objectives of establishing regional organisations?
6. How does geographical proximity influence the formation of
regional organisations?
7. What are the components of the ASEAN Vision 2020?
8. Name the pillars and the objectives of the ASEAN Community.
9. In what ways does the present Chinese economy differs from its
command economy?
10. How did the European countries resolve their post-Second World
War problem? Briefly outline the attempts that led to the formation
of the European Union.
11. What makes the European Union a highly influential regional
organisation?
12. The emerging economies of China and India have great potential
to challenge the unipolar world. Do you agree with the statement?
Substantiate your arguments.
13. The Peace and prosperity of countries lay in the establishment
and strengthening of regional economic organisations. Justify this
statement.
14. Identify the contentious issues between China and India. How could
these be resolved for greater cooperation? Give your suggestions.

2024-25

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