Soğuk Savaş’ın Kalkınma/Gelişme Yazınına Etkisi

With the end of World War II, the world entered a period of ideological, economic, and political conflict centered around two major superpowers, the United States of America (USA) and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). This period, known as the Cold War, was not limited to the rivalry between these two great powers but also had profound impacts on countries newly freed from colonialism, referred to as the Third World. These countries, immediately after gaining independence, faced development issues and struggled to find a place for themselves in the polarized world order of the Cold War. The ideological competition characteristic of the Cold War was felt not only in Europe and Asia but also in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, and developments in these regions became crucial elements of global power dynamics. Third World countries, in their quest for development, had to choose between the capitalist system of the West and the socialist model of the East. During this process, initiatives such as the Non-Aligned Movement reflected the efforts of Third World countries to maintain their independence within the bipolar system. This article examines the economic and political development struggle of the Third World during the Cold War, the influence of the Western and Eastern blocs on these countries, and how this process is addressed in the context of development theories. Additionally, the strategic impact of the Non-Aligned Movement on Third World countries and their efforts to maintain independence will be evaluated.