Alternative Centre of Powers

AHLCON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, MAYUR VIHAR
CLASS: XII
SUBJECT: POLITICAL SCIENCE
READING MATERIAL
ALTERNATIVE CENTRE OF POWERS
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
EVENTS LEADING TO FORMATION OF EUROPEAN UNION:
 US ‘Marshall Plan’ (1947): After the Second World War there was large scale devastation of
European economy. From 1945 through 1947, the United States was already assisting
European economic recovery with direct financial aid. In the year 1947, US President
Harry Truman appointed George C. Marshall to propose economic recovery programme
for Europe. Under this Plan, the Organisation for European Economic Cooperation was
established to channel aid to the European states.
 The Council of Europe (1949): another step towards the political cooperation which aimed
to uphold human rights, rule of law and democracy in Europe.
 European Economic Community (1957): under ‘Treaty of Rome’ the organisation came into
being for economic cooperation among European member states.
 Formation of European Union (1992): the collapse of Soviet bloc led to formation of the
political and economic union of many European states. The foundation was laid for common
foreign and security policy, cooperation on justice and home affairs, and creation of single
currency.
EUROPEAN UNION AS A NATION STATE:
Though the attempt to have common Constitution has failed, it still like any nation state has its
own:
 Anthem: ‘Ode to Joy’ by Beethoven

 Founding Date: May 9th
 Currency: Euro
 Flag:
The circle of gold stars stands for solidarity and harmony between the peoples of Europe. It
has twelve stars, the number twelve is traditionally the symbol of perfection, completeness
and unity.
 It also has some form of common foreign policy in dealing with other nations.
ASSESS THE EUROPEAN UNION AS ECONOMIC, POLITICAL AND DIPLOMATIC AND

MILITARY INFLUENCE:
 Economic Influence:
 EU is the world’s biggest economy larger than US.
 It currency euro pose threat to dominance of the US dollar.
 Its share in world trade is three times larger than US allowing it to be more assertive in
trade disputes with US and China.
 EU uses economic power to influence over its closest neighbours as well as in Asia and
Africa.
 It is an important international bloc in economic organisations like WTO.
 Political and Diplomatic Influence:

 Two of its members, Britain and France hold permanent seats in UN Security Council.
Though due to recent events Britain is proposed to exit EU on 29th March 2019.
 The EU includes several non- permanent members of UNSC. This has enabled the EU to
influence some US policies.
 Its use of diplomacy, economic investments and negotiations have been effective in case
of dialogue with China on Human Rights and environmental degradation.
 Military influence:
 EU’s combined forces are second largest in the world.
 Its total spending on defence is second in world.
 Britain and France have nuclear arsenals of 550 war heads.
 It is also the world’s second most important source of space and technology.
CHALLENGES:
 In many areas its member states have their own foreign relations and defence policies
that are often at odd with each other.
For example, Britain’s Prime Minister Tony Blair was America’s partner in Iraq invasion
and may of its member made up with US led coalition whereas Germany and France
opposed American policy.
 There is deep- seated ‘Europe- scepticism’ in some parts of Europe about EU’s
integrationist agenda.
For example, Margaret Thatcher, kept UK out of European Market. Denmark and
Sweden have resisted Maastricht Treaty and adoption of Euro as common currency.
ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH EAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN)
COMMON CHALLENGES FACED BY THE SOUTH EAST ASIAN NATIONS AFTER THE END
OF SECOND WORLD WAR:
 Challenges of nation- building

 The ravages of poverty
 Economic backwardness and
 Pressure of aligning with one or the other super power
WHY, NEED WAS FELT FOR CREATION OF ASEAN?
Efforts of Asian and Third world community, such as Bandung Conference and Non- Aligned
Movement were ineffective in establishing the conventions for informal cooperation and interaction.
ASEAN
 Founding Date: 8th August 1967, under Bangkok Declaration
 Member States: ASEAN includes five founding members, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Thailand and Singapore. Later joined by Brunei Darussalam, Lao PDR, Vietnam, Cambodia
and Myanmar
 Objectives:
 To accelerate economic growth and through that ‘social and cultural development’.
 To promote peace and stability based on rule of law and principles of United Nations
Charter.
 Motto: One Vision, One Identity, One Community
 Logo:
In the logo, ten stalks of paddy represent ten Southeast Asian countries bound together in
friendship and solidarity.
 ‘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.
 Three pillars of ASEAN formed in 2003 to broadened the objectives like that of EU:
 ASEAN Security Community:
i. It is based on the conviction that outstanding territorial disputes should not
escalate in armed confrontation.
ii. Several agreements have been signed by member states to uphold peace,
neutrality, peace, cooperation, non- interference and respect for national
differences and sovereign rights.
iii. ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) was established in 1994, which carries out
coordination of security and foreign policy.
 ASEAN Economic Community:
i. It has to create common market and production base with member states.
ii. It has to aid social and economic development of region.
iii. The ASEAN Economic Community would improve ASEAN Dispute Settlement
Mechanism to resolve economic disputes.
iv. ASEAN has focused on creating Free Trade Areas (FTA) for investment,
labour and services.
 ASEAN Socio- Cultural Community:
i. The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community aims to contribute to realising an
ASEAN Community that is people-oriented and socially responsible with a
view to achieving enduring solidarity and unity among the peoples and
Member States of ASEAN.
ii. It seeks to forge a common identity and build a caring and sharing society
which is inclusive and where the well-being, livelihood, and welfare of the
peoples are enhanced.
 ASEAN as rapidly growing regional organisation:

 Its vision 2020 has defined an outward- looking role for ASEAN in international
community.
 This builds on existing ASEAN policy to encourage negotiation over conflicts in
region.
 ASEAN has mediated end of Cambodian conflict, East Timor crisis and meets
annually to discuss East Asian cooperation.
 It is the only regional organisation in Asia which provides forum for Asian countries
to discuss political and security concern.
 ASEAN as economic strength:

 In has emerged as economic strength as trading and investment partner for growing
Asian economies.
 In recent years, India has signed FTAs with two of its member states, Thailand and
Singapore.

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AHLCON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, MAYUR VIHAR

EUROPEAN UNION AS A NATION STATE:

 Anthem: ‘Ode to Joy’ by Beethoven

ASSESS THE EUROPEAN UNION AS ECONOMIC, POLITICAL AND DIPLOMATIC AND

 Political and Diplomatic Influence:

ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH EAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN)

 Challenges of nation- building

WHY, NEED WAS FELT FOR CREATION OF ASEAN?

 Founding Date: 8th August 1967, under Bangkok Declaration

 Motto: One Vision, One Identity, One Community

 ASEAN as rapidly growing regional organisation:

 ASEAN as economic strength:

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