U.S. Imperialism and Global Power Structures

GS2 – International Relations

Context

The recent 12-day war between Israel and Iran and the U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, criticized as unilateral and illegal, have reignited debates about the imperialist nature of U.S. foreign policy.

Contemporary U.S. Imperialism

• Decline of Hegemony: The “America First” policy under Trump symbolized waning U.S. global influence, especially in economic and diplomatic arenas.
• Neoliberalism in Crisis: Domestic dissatisfaction stemming from neoliberal policy failures has pushed successive governments towards using military power as a means of maintaining influence abroad.
• Unpredictable Interventions: Modern U.S. actions on the global stage often appear reactionary and inconsistent, lacking a coherent strategic framework.

Implications for India and the Global South

• Reduced Strategic Autonomy: As a rising power, India struggles between utilizing multipolarity and handling regional security threats.
• Concerns over Non-Alignment: India’s participation in plurilateral groupings raises fears about the erosion of its non-alignment stance.
• Diminished Global South Solidarity: India’s non-response to unilateral military actions undermines its credibility as a leader among developing nations.
• Economic Fragility: U.S. protectionist policies—including tariffs and trade wars—adversely impact export-dependent economies, impeding growth and deepening inequality.
• Loss of Policy Sovereignty: U.S. influence in international bodies such as the IMF, World Bank, and WTO often restricts policy freedom for developing countries through structural adjustment requirements.

Challenges to Multilateralism

• Resurgent Bipolarity: China’s ascent in economy and technology is increasingly viewed as a direct challenge to U.S. supremacy, escalating tensions through trade conflicts and defense alliances, especially in the Indo-Pacific, reminiscent of Cold War-era divisions.
• Weakening Global Institutions: The UN and other multilateral bodies are being sidelined by unilateral actions of powerful nations, threatening the rules-based international system.

Limitations of Alternative Platforms

• BRICS: Although expanding in membership, it lacks unity on critical issues, hindering cohesive action.
• SCO: Perceived as dominated by China, reducing India’s strategic influence within the organization.
• Missed Diplomatic Opportunities: India’s reluctance to condemn territorial violations within these forums weakens collective diplomatic impact.

Way Forward for India

• Preserve Strategic Independence: Avoid deep entanglements with power blocs to retain flexibility in foreign policy.
• Balance Sovereignty and Security: Engage with a variety of groupings like BRICS+, SCO, IORA, and other South-South partnerships.
• Support a Rule-Based Order: Reinforce international legal norms, especially regarding sovereignty and use of force.
• Reform Global Institutions: Advocate for the democratization of the UN Security Council and Bretton Woods institutions, aligning them with modern global realities.