Will Most Uncommitted Nations Remain Uncommitted?

Abstract

To the newly independent state, the assertion of its particular personality and the development of its own mate rial and spiritual culture are morè pertinent and real issues than the choosing of sides in the Cold War. The question of good or evil for an emerging African state is not a question of East or West but a question of poverty or development. Neutralism, as conceived by Ghana, is positive. It does not imply suspension of judgment; it means, rather, the conscien tious exercise of judgment in strict accordance with the merits of the issues, not with regard to the contesting parties. Two principal problems for the uncommitted nations in their rela tions with the great power blocs are military bases and eco nomic aid. The neutrals who reject military bases do so in the belief that bases do not reduce the risk of war. In matters of economic aid, the West has a record of which it can be proud. It is unrealistic, however, to expect independent coun tries who need aid in order to develop their resources to decline it when offered by any country which shows a real desire to assist their economic development. In its economic system, Ghana follows a pattern of socialism designed to make avail able to the country all the resources that can be directed to ward its goal. The foreign policy of Ghana is based upon the desire to have Africa put its own house in order to the fullest extent possible. The future of neutralism depends upon general acceptance of the independence and sovereignty of the neutral countries, upon assistance from peace-loving coun tries to make the new countries economically viable, and upon general acceptance by all the nations of equal dignity of all men regardless of color or geography.—Ed.