The Cold War and the transition to a unipolar world order

The end of the Cold War, marked by the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, transitioned the international system from a bipolar structure to a unipolar era dominated by the United States. This shift redefined global geopolitics, security, and economic models, as the liberal-democratic and market-based systems became the dominant global references.

During the 1990s, U.S. influence expanded through military, economic, and cultural channels, exemplified by interventions in the Gulf War and the Balkans. Simultaneously, international institutions like the IMF and the World Bank promoted economic globalization and market integration.

The Cold War period itself was characterized by an intense ideological struggle and a massive nuclear arms race, with the U.S. and the USSR possessing an estimated 70,000 nuclear weapons at its peak. This era also drove significant scientific advancements, such as the space race, and left a lasting impact on global culture and collective psychological well-being due to the constant threat of nuclear conflict.