Mains Focus
Mains Focus – 4th Nov 2025
Question
With the waning of globalization, the post-Cold War world is becoming a site of sovereign nationalism. [GS -2, UPSC 2025]
Answer
After the end of the Cold War, the world moved toward a unipolar, globalized order led by liberal democracies and free-market capitalism. Globalization fostered interdependence, economic integration, and multilateralism. However, in recent years, this trend has weakened, giving rise to sovereign nationalism, where states prioritize national interest, security, and identity over global cooperation.
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Waning of Globalization:
- The 2008 Global Financial Crisis exposed the vulnerabilities of global capitalism, leading many nations to adopt protectionist measures.
- The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated deglobalization — nations restricted exports of medicines and essential goods, emphasizing self-reliance.
- Russia-Ukraine war (2022) disrupted global supply chains and energy markets, pushing countries toward strategic autonomy.
- U.S.–China trade tensions, decoupling in technology, and reshoring of industries reflect the retreat from global economic integration.
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Rise of Sovereign Nationalism:
- India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat”, the U.S.’s “America First”, and the U.K.’s Brexit are examples of states asserting economic sovereignty.
- Nations are increasingly skeptical of global institutions like the WTO, WHO, and UN, perceiving them as biased or ineffective.
- There is a renewed focus on border security, national identity, and cultural revivalism — seen in rising populist movements across Europe and Asia.
- Strategic nationalism is visible in defense and technology sectors, with emphasis on indigenization and self-reliance.
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Latest Developments:
- The fragmentation of global supply chains into “friend-shoring” and regional blocs (like QUAD, BRICS+) reflects a shift toward geopolitical realism.
- The rise of AI, digital surveillance, and data sovereignty laws (like India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023) further reinforces state control.
Conclusion:
The post-Cold War optimism of a borderless, liberal world has faded. In its place, a multipolar, nationalist, and protectionist order is emerging — one where sovereignty, security, and self-interest dominate over global interdependence.
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