THE GLOBAL DIVIDE: HOW THE NORTH INFLUENCES THE SOUTH

The world’s nations are classified into two: the Global North and the Global

South. This classification is known as the Global Divide, which separates countries that

are less developed, also known as “Third World Countries,” to those of more stable and

highly developed ones called “First World Countries.” As of 2021, The Philippines is

considered a country categorized among the Global South, along with other nations

such as Yemen, Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria. The Global South is a term that classifies

countries that exhibit less development in terms of socio-economic and political aspects.

Nations of the Global North dictate the flow of economic trade among countries and

lead the world in terms of progress and innovation, while nations of the Global South

experience the repercussions of the decisions and actions made by the Global North.

Countries of the Global North include countries such as Russia, Australia, Singapore,

and the United States (Odeh, 2010). 

The three things that I learned from reading the article are the differences

between the security issues among countries of the Global North and South. For

countries included in the Global South, I learned that immediate concerns include

internal malpractice, lack of cohesion, and statehood affairs. On the other hand,

countries of the Global North need only to address outward concerns, such as

international relations since their statehood is stable enough to withhold internal

conflicts. Lastly, I learned that the mass media is heavily influenced by Western media,

since it mostly aims to cater to the interests of the Global North.

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 The three things that I still find unclear to me are the topics of Hybridity and how

it correlates to the issues regarding the Global South and how it impedes progress.

Secondly, I cannot fully comprehend how the international system is considered

anarchic because I thought that the international system was meant to be civilized.

However, I realized what is considered lawful and natural in one nation may be

considered barbaric in another. Thirdly, I would like clarification on what is considered

Non-Western and Western since in the current age, globalization is rampant and

various cultures are blended. These said cultures can be viewed and appreciated by

billions of people across the globe due to the current digital age in which we live in.

The three questions I have are first, what are the steps the Global South can take

to be categorized as a nation among the Global North? Are these steps sustainable to

perform for nations of the Global South? Second, are there any chances the Global

Divide will ever truly dissipate? Will all nations ever be equal at one point in human

history? Lastly, what are the consequences when the Global Divide is no longer evident

and all nations are equally developed? Will it spark a rise of a perfect world, or a world

that is destined for mayhem?

The Global Divide has caused setbacks in the developments of countries of the

Global South, all while positively affecting the countries of the Global North. Hence, the

Global North continues to steadily progress, further increasing the gap between the

Global North and Global South.