Non-Aligned Movement

The Non-Aligned Movement, or NAM, is an international organization of over 100 states which consider themselves not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. NAM focuses on national struggles for independence, the eradication of poverty, economic development and opposing colonialism, imperialism, and neo-colonialism. They represent 55 per cent of the planet's people and nearly two-thirds of the UN's membership.

Related Topics:
International organization - Power - Bloc - Colonialism - Imperialism - Neo-colonialism

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Important members include India, Egypt, South Africa and, for a time, the People's Republic of China. Brazil has never been a formal member of the movement, but the country shares many of the aims of NAM and frequently sends observers to NAM summits. While the organization was intended to be as close an alliance as NATO or the Warsaw Pact, it has little cohesion and many of its members were induced to or unable to resist aligning with one or another of the great powers. For example, Cuba was closely aligned with the former Soviet Union during the Cold War era.

Related Topics:
India - Egypt - South Africa - People's Republic of China - Brazil - NATO - Warsaw Pact - Great power - Cuba - Soviet Union - Cold War

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Non-Aligned Movement has struggled to find relevance since the end of the Cold War. The successor states of Yugoslavia, a founder member, have expressed little interest in the NAM since the country's break up, and in 2004, Slovenia, along with Malta and Cyprus, ceased to be a member of the NAM when it joined the European Union.

Related Topics:
Yugoslavia - 2004 - Slovenia - Malta - Cyprus - European Union

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~