Non-alignment

Definition

Non-alignment refers to the policy adopted by certain countries during the Cold War era who chose not to align themselves with either of the two major power blocs led by the United States (NATO) or the Soviet Union (Warsaw Pact). These non-aligned nations sought to maintain their independence and autonomy while avoiding direct involvement in Cold War conflicts.

Related terms

Neutralism: Neutralism is similar to non-alignment but generally implies a more passive stance where a country remains completely detached from any form of conflict or alliances during times of tension.

Third World Countries: Third World countries were predominantly developing nations that were not aligned with either the United States or the Soviet Union during the Cold War. These countries often sought economic and political support from both sides without fully committing to either.

Movement of Non-Aligned Countries (NAM): The Movement of Non-Aligned Countries is an international organization comprising countries who adopted non-alignment as their foreign policy during the Cold War. NAM aimed to promote cooperation, peace, and development among its member nations.