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A New Cold War or Dangerous Multipolarity?
03/04/2007 By Mariano Aguirre
Is there a new Cold War beginning between the United States and Russia?
There are signs that would seem to indicate a return of the tension between Moscow and Washington that existed between the end of the Second World War and 1989, based on a contest of military strength and the control of influential regions.
The scenario that is emerging now, however, is not one of two ideologically opposed powers competing for the rest of the world.
The current one is of two key players within a multipolar international context where various governmental and non-governmental actors fight to advance their own practical interests. In ideological terms, it is no longer about a struggle between communism and capitalism.
Now nationalism and other identity-based doctrines are the ideological chips used to gain internal legitimacy – from the messianic patriotism of the United States and Russian nationalistic pride to Chávez’ populism, Chinese neo-communism and the hegemonic nationalism of Iran.
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Keywords
Cold War Ideology Multipolarity Russia United StatesBio author: Mariano Aguirre
Mariano Aguirre is Director of the Norwegian Peacebuilding Centre in Oslo, and a fellow of the Transnational Institute. Former Director of Peace, Security and Human Rights at FRIDE.
