question_answer

'Resistance is the only option available to overcome the U.S. hegemony.' Justify the statement by comparing it to other anti-hegemony strategies.

Or

'Nepal and India enjoy a very special relationship that has very few parallels in the world.' Justify the statement with any three suitable arguments.

 

Answer:

The definition of ?Hegemony5 is leadership or dominance, especially by one state or group over others either in physical power or economic power. The US hegemony began in 1991 after sudden collapse of USSR and disappearance of Soviet Union from international scene. In the short term, we must realize that no single power is anywhere near balancing the US military.

Some people believe that resistance to American hegemony will be a better way to handle the situation.

When comparing the anti-hegemony strategies from normal strategy to resistance to hegemony, we can say:

Resistance to hegemony:

(i) It may not come from other states/countries who are powerless to confront US today.

(ii) It can come from non-state actors/ activities.

(iii) The challenge to American hegemony will emerge to the economic and cultural realms, and will come from combination of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), social movements and public opinion.

(iv) It may come from sections of media and intellectuals, artist and writers.

(v) These prominent public figures may well form link across national boundaries, including Americans, to criticize and resist US policies.

Normal way of Anti-Hegemony strategy: (i) Bandwagon strategy. It emphasises not to oppose hegemonic power, instead take opportunities to extract benefit by operating within hegemonic system.

(ii) To hide strategy: implies to stay away as far as possible from the dominant power. This strategy is applicable to small states but states may not be able to hide for substantial length of time.

Or

India and Nepal have very special relationship that has few parallels in the world.

(i) A treaty between the two countries allow the citizen of two countries to travel and work in each other countries with outs Visas and Passports.

(ii) Despite this the two countries had trade dispute in the past.

(iii) Indian government have shown displeasures against the growing relationships between Nepal and China.

(iv) Indian security agencies see the Maoist and Naxalite movement as growing security threats.

Nevertheless, Indo-Nepalese relationship is fairly stable and peaceful. Despite differences, trade scientific cooperation, common natural resources, electricity generation and interlocking water management grids hold the two countries together. There is a hope that the consolidation of democracy in Nepal will lead to improvements in the ties between the two countries.