Written by, Nicholas J. Ugik (BA Soc. Sci., UMS)
An international uneven development can definited libration of economic and development among the countries. Usually it was happened among develop and poor countries. Today, international uneven development can be detected in global issues such economic domination by develop countries, human resources exploitation in poor countries and monetary crisis in some countries. Even though these issues was began in middle of 20th century, but it were be a global crisis since break of Cold War in 1989. From that moment, there was capitalism expansion through the world and world was divided into two classes, poor and rich. Point of international uneven development was began here. International uneven development causes by differences of technologies, dependency theories and history of imperialism.
International uneven development was happened through the globe in middle 20th century after rised of hegemonic powers. The hegemonic powers can be classified who was nation state had a huge military, strength of economy and stability in politic. After World War II, beside United State, many countries in Western Europe such as Britain, France, Germany, Poland, Italy and even Soviet Union also be a great power as a competitor to United State. Although war was break in recent years, international uneven development also can happened in that moment after we analyzed in two factors. Firstly, ruled of Atlantic Charter to end of colonialism but there was still exploitation of economy by imperialist after the colonies had an independence. Secondly, support from United State to Western Europe in economy recovered and development after war and also related with current issues in 1950th, competed communist ideology in Cold War. And then, these hegemonic powers need more economy injection from exploitation of world economy and third world countries. (Asmady Idris,2000:18) was discussed about Marshall Programme, an idea of Henry Truman. These programme gave an incentive, supported, developed and rebuild Western Europe after break of Second World War. In another aspect, it were gave big interest to United State’s international interest and controlled communism influenced from Soviet Union. As we know, international uneven development the main global crisis nowadays.
Differences of the technologies among the countries can be causes of international uneven development. It will be an advantage for which countries have a advance technologies. Certainly, technologies as a bench mark to exploit the world market and be a develop countries. Unfornately, only develop countries have an abilities to study and manipulate the technologies for their interest in trade and military. Poor countries still leave behind and perforce use and follow the develop countries policies in trade and also buy the technologies in the highest prices. From that, international uneven development will be happened. In 1950th, United State and Soviet Union had an advanced technologies and it was used for space exploration and nuclear weapon. After rising of many hegemonic powers especially in 1970th, China, Great Britain, France and Germany also get their advantage from developing of technologies. These parties get a big benefit because applied of technologies in economy, industries and military. From that, they have an ability to be a hegemonic power. Poor countries just for product market and develop countries exploit the sources use of higher technologies. Differences of technologies development because of few factors. Firstly, age of the nation state. For example, Britain was be a great power in 18th century and be an imperialism power and also Industries Revolution was occur in Britain 19th century. But, many countries in Asia and Africa just be a colonies in same time. Secondly, United State was given much incentive and develops the technologies for the alliances after World War II and during Cold War. In case, we can know why differences of technologies among the countries. For the differences and in these situation, world can be classified into rich and poor countries in their attainment of technologies.
Furthermore, dependency theory was happened among poor to rich countries also the factor cause of international uneven development. Dependency theory means a relationship between superior and inferior countries. Inferior countries not have much abilities such as economy, sciences, military and sometimes chaos in local politics will need a superior countries to get any help and dependant in that aspects. Many countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America nowadays dependant to hegemonic powers such United State and Britain. Next, it should be related to international uneven development because hegemonic powers will be take an opportunity from this situation for the own interest. Hegemonic powers have an ability to be a land lord on world stage cause of strength of economy, politics influence and military. Dependency theory work among rich and poor countries in many conditions. In economy for the example, many bill out and incentive will be pressure poor countries in the end. Develop countries make an investment from multinational cooperation’s in poor countries but for their interest from the term and absolute power to exploitation the economy. Besides that, develop countries have international organizations for their ambition exploit the economy. World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) will give loan for poor countries with large interest and also control the countries economic policy. It will pressure and force poor countries to obey to develop countries and cause of exploitation. Politics influence also play the role to succeed global economic policy. Government Agreement Trade and Tariff (GATT) was abrogated to globalize the economy. In same time, develop countries get an advantage and poor countries will be suffer because their industries was threated by GATT. Another way, military also use and work in global stage to make the policies and exploit the economy. In Korean War in 1955, United State give an assistance to South Korea because of economic interest and also against communist ideology as a capitalism opponent and economy expansion in Pacific Asia area. In same case, Iraq Military Campaign 2003 also for economy interest in Middle East. Poor country will be fear and should obey the hegemonic powers global policies and also for dependency. Last but not least, Rich countries have multinational cooperation’s and international organizations to exploit world economies and politics.
Another important reason, imperialism history also contributes international uneven development. Imperialism was occurred through the globe since 16th century after Henry the Navigator from Portugal found a way to the east from Cape of Hope. Afterward, many expeditions and conquered new areas to make colonies through the globe especially in Asia, Africa and Latin America colonies. Western countries as a dominants power in imperialism. From the past, it will be cause an international uneven development. In many years, imperial powers get many benefit and properties from their colonies and brought all of the profits into their own countries. In another side, colonies still undeveloped because lack of economy chances and not used their own sources. At this point, imperial will be a developed countries compared to their colonies. This situation still continuously until today even though colonialism and imperialism era was end. As a question, why the history still affect some countries? For Malaysia as a case study, before Britain leave Malaya and Sabah Sarawak in 1963, there was some conditions and term to protect their industries and enterprises after give an independence for Malaysia. Many Britain multinational cooperation such as Sime Darby, Guthries, SHELL and Bridgestone must be everlasting and Malaysia government should given some incentive and business opportunities to this multinational cooperation’s. Sukarno said every of these policies were be a neo-colonialism. In fact, Britain still get benefits from this situation but Malaysia need to follow to dependant in economies and get some fund or economy programme from Britain. According to Mohd. Noor Yazid, “ The economic interest of the British in Malaysia influenced the British political and military-security policy towards Malaysia after 1957. Although Great Britain gave independence to Malaysia in 1957, the defense, security and economic/financial matters were still controlled by the British. British senior officers held important positions in the Malaysian ministry of finance for the first few years after independence”. If it applies to international uneven development theory, there were uneven development between Britain and Malaysia. This case, also happen in any ex-colonies in the world. Meanwhile, economy condition in former colonized countries still underdevelopment or some of this countries move up into semi-periphery (in process transform into develop countries). These countries in the same time survival for own economic progress and pressured by World Bank, IMF and GATT policies. Finally, many former colonized countries still leave behind in economy and politics.
We hope this situation will be solved for the sake of global peace and stabilities. If global economic reach the better level and show the balance, global issues like terrorism, war and conflict will to be terminated. Any countries in any part of the world should be in justice and protection in their global interest for economy, politic and social. Each country must cooperate with each others for collective interest.
References:
Asmady Idris. 2000. Amerika Syarikat: Satu Kuasa Hegemoni Dunia, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Kuala Lumpur.
Frank Gunder Andre. 1971. Capitalism & Underdevelopment In Latin America, Penguin, London
Frank Gunder Andre. 1969. Latin America: Underdevelopment Of Revolution, Monthly Review Press, New York.
Gilpin Robert. 2001. Global Political Economy, Princeton Universiti Press, Princeton and Oxford.
Jakson Robert & Sorensen Georg .2007. Introduction to International Relation, Oxford Printed,
Mohd Noor Yazid .2007. Hegemonic Powers, Radical Politics and Developmental State: The Case of Indonesia-Malaysia During The Cold War, Penerbit UMS.
