Contrary to some beliefs, the concept of a Multi-Polar World is not a fictional plot from a Marvel Avengers movie. Rather, it is a geopolitical framework promoted by countries such as Russia, Brazil, China, North Korea, and Iran. Brazil, under its BRICS presidency, has been a significant proponent of this idea. On October 23, 2024, President Lula stated, “In the Brazilian BRICS presidency, we want to reaffirm the bloc’s vocation in the fight for a multi-polar world, and for less asymmetrical relations between countries.”
I went back to basics on this publication. Last week a friend of mine who gained a history degree at an Ivy League school told me last week: “the media and politicians are wrong, Putin is actually our friend and the media is trying to manipulate us into thinking he is our enemy”. For such an intelligent person, with a history degree, I realized his brain was warped by Tik Tok Videos and Russian X propaganda.
The Multi-Polar World refers to a global system where multiple superpowers exist, in contrast to the Uni-Polar world that emerged after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, which saw the United States as the predominant superpower. During this period, U.S. foreign policy focused heavily on conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as trade with China, rather than engaging with the Global South.
Approximately ten years ago, Russia and China began advocating for a Multi-Polar World. This narrative gained traction when Russia presented its rationale for the invasion of Ukraine to the Global South, suggesting that Ukraine posed a threat. Following this, countries like Brazil began supporting this narrative.
In essence, this perspective challenges American dominance and suggests a world where the United States is no longer the sole superpower, but rather one among several, including Russia and China. The strategy behind China’s promotion of a non-aligned world is intended to maintain trade relationships while preparing for potential conflicts, such as a possible invasion of Taiwan. Many countries are increasingly aligning with China due to economic incentives, such as trade and loans, even as alignment with the United States diminishes.
The fundamental point is that the status of the United States as a global superpower is under scrutiny. Both the Multi-Polar World and Non-Alignment narratives aim to dilute the influence of the United States, complicating its ability to build international alliances and relationships, thereby facilitating China’s efforts to garner global support.
