NECO Government 2007 Theory — Question 7

Model answer

1. Desire to Avoid Cold War Alliances: Many newly independent countries wanted to remain neutral and not be forced to take sides with either the United States/NATO or the Soviet Union/Eastern Bloc during the Cold War. 2. Promotion of World Peace: Leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Kwame Nkrumah believed that staying non-aligned would help reduce tensions and prevent another world war. 3. Preservation of Sovereignty: Emerging nations feared that alliance with any superpower could lead to loss of independence and external interference in their domestic affairs. 4. Economic Development Needs: Developing countries sought to focus on economic growth and social progress without being distracted by military rivalries and ideological conflicts. 5. Opposition to Colonialism and Imperialism: Many non-aligned countries had just gained independence and were determined to resist all forms of neocolonial domination from powerful nations. 6. Fear of Nuclear War: The arms race and proliferation of nuclear weapons between the superpowers created anxiety, motivating nations to unite for disarmament and peace, and to promote collective interests on the international stage, encouraged by leaders like Tito of Yugoslavia, Nasser of Egypt, Sukarno of Indonesia, and Nkrumah of Ghana, who actively promoted the idea of non-alignment and desire for a new international economic order.