UPSC Mains 2025 GS Paper 2 Question Paper
Q. “With the waning of globalization, post-Cold War world is becoming a site of sovereign nationalism.” Elucidate.
Introduction:
The post-Cold War era, once marked by hyper-globalization, is witnessing a shift towards sovereign nationalism, driven by economic disruptions, geopolitical rivalries and identity assertions.
- Waning of Globalization
- Slowdown in global trade growth (WTO: trade growth < global GDP growth post-2008)
- Rise of protectionism (tariffs, subsidies, industrial policies)
- Deglobalization trends:
- Supply chain reshoring / friend-shoring
- Decline in multilateralism (WTO crisis – Appellate Body paralysis)
Examples:
- US–China trade war (tariff escalations since 2018)
- Brexit → rejection of regional integration
- Rise of Sovereign Nationalism
- Assertion of national sovereignty over global rules
- Emphasis on self-reliance, border control, cultural identity
- Shift from global governance → national interest first
Examples:
- Atmanirbhar Bharat in India
- “America First” policy under Donald Trump
- China’s dual circulation strategy
- Drivers of This Shift
(a) Economic Factors
- 2008 Global Financial Crisis → loss of faith in neoliberal globalization
- Rising inequality (Oxfam: top 1% owns ~45% global wealth)
- Job losses due to outsourcing, automation
(b) Political Factors
- Rise of populism & right-wing nationalism
- Weakening of multilateral institutions (UN, WTO credibility issues)
(c) Security Factors
- Pandemic (COVID-19) → vaccine nationalism
- Russia–Ukraine conflict (2022) → energy, food sovereignty concerns
(d) Technological Factors
- Data sovereignty and digital protectionism
- Tech decoupling (US–China semiconductor restrictions)
- Manifestations
- Trade barriers: tariffs, non-tariff barriers
- Immigration restrictions
- Strategic autonomy in foreign policy
- Regional blocs over global regimes
Examples:
- EU strategic autonomy debates
- QUAD focusing on secure supply chains
- Implications
Positive
- Strengthens domestic industries
- Enhances policy autonomy
- Focus on national security & resilience
Negative
- Weakens global cooperation (climate change, pandemics)
- Risk of fragmented world order
- Trade wars → global economic slowdown
- India’s Position
- Advocates “multi-alignment” + strategic autonomy
- Balances:
- Globalization (G20 leadership)
- Nationalism (Atmanirbhar Bharat)
- Promotes reformed multilateralism
- Way Forward
- Reform multilateral institutions (WTO, UN)
- Balance national interest with global commons
- Promote inclusive globalization 2.0
- Strengthen regional + global cooperation simultaneously
Conclusion:
While sovereign nationalism is reshaping the post-globalization order, a balanced approach integrating national priorities with cooperative multilateralism remains essential for global stability.
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