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Non-Aligned Movement

Definition

The Non-Aligned Movement is an international organization of over 100 states which consider themselves not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc, especially during the Cold War.

Analogy

Think of the Non-Aligned Movement as a group of kids on a playground who decide not to join either of the two dominant teams playing a game. Instead, they form their own group where they can play without being influenced by the rules and strategies of the big teams.

Related terms

Cold War: A period of geopolitical tension between powers in the Eastern Bloc (the Soviet Union and its satellite states) and powers in the Western Bloc (the United States, its NATO allies and others).

Bandung Conference: A meeting held in 1955 in Indonesia among Asian and African nations that emphasized sovereignty, national self-determination, and non-interference; it was a precursor to the Non-Aligned Movement.

Third World: Countries that remained neutral during Cold War often associated with this term; it's now considered outdated due to its negative connotations about economic development status.