GNED 07: CONTEMPORARY WORLD

A World of Regions
Objectives:
After the completion of the chapter, students will be able to:
1. Define the term “Global South”;
2. Differentiate the Global South from the Third World;
3. Analyze how a new conception of global relations emerged from the experiences of Latin
American countries;
4. Differentiate between regionalization and globalization;
5. Identify the factors leading to a greater integration of the Asian region; and
6. Analyze how different Asian states confront the challenges of globalization and regionalization.

CHAPTER CONTENT
A. Global Divides: The North and the South
B. Asian Regionalism

ACTIVITY TO BE SUBMITTED BY THE END OF THE CHAPTER:

1. Submission of 10-minute video presentation on the contemporary foreign and economic policies of
their chosen country. (10 members per group)

A. Global Divides: The North and the South

• The Global Divides

➢ Filipinos are obviously coffee lovers. Branches of various international coffee shops like Coffee
Beans and Tea Leaf, Starbucks, Figaro, UCC Coffee; And Seattle’s Best are like mushrooms
found in every metro area in the Philippines. As Filipinos patronize imported coffee brands, this
oftentimes, perceived as one of the effects of globalization. Similarly, when a Filipino enters in
one of these shops in another experience of globalization, as customers are not only Filipinos
but different nationalities as well. While this shows global interconnectedness and global
modernity, multi-national corporations (MNCs) and transnational corporations (TNCs)
operating in countries like the Philippines and in other developing counties are likewise
believed to create problems like cheap labor, exploitation and the like.
➢ This is why globalization is viewed as a process that presents two sides- good or bad; and
positive and negative. It is imperative to look into the differing impacts of globalization to the
states and explain why there is a growing division between rich and poor; developed and
developing; First and Third world; and global north and global South.

• Conceptualizing Global South

➢ The idea of global South is associated with the development gaps observed among states. It is
a social and political move against global inequalities which often lead to categorizing states as
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developed and developing or First and Third world. Contemporary critics use the term ‘global
South’ to highlight the imbalance distribution of global power as there are states who take most
of the advantages while others are left behind.
➢ Previously, those who criticize cold war-era politics used the term ‘Third World,’ This pertains
to the parts of the world that did not fall into the capitalist (also called as the ‘First World’) or
the communist (termed as ‘Second World’) during the Cold War. “Third Worldism,” on the other
hand, was linked to being ‘non-aligned’ of these countries but eventually the term was
abandoned as the Soviet Bloc or the ‘Second World’ collapsed. The countries, which are less
developed in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, are also categorized as ‘third’ because of the
prevailing poverty and economic dependence to First World states (Heywood, 2011).
➢ With the changing global scenarios, historical events are still relevant for these terms. But as
Third Worldism and non-alignment (due to collapsed of Soviet bloc) are no longer practically
used, all these point only to a certain phenomenon: that there is underdevelopment of
states/people and lack of representation, in global political process (Claudio, 2014).
➢ However, there could be different effects of world political event like imperialism and cold-war
era, the term ‘global south’ may still evolve especially when affected by globalization. In this
sense, the important question may not be ‘what global South is’ but ‘for whom and under what
conditions the global South becomes relevant. Some is true when one suppose that ‘the global
South is everywhere, but it is also somewhere, and the somewhere, located at the intersection
of entangled political geographies of dispossession and repression’ cited by Claudio, global
inequality and the subjective responses to these.
➢ For instance, when global financial crisis hit most of us European countries in 2008, Greece in
particular, experienced what underdeveloped countries in global South have. Citizens were
reported to have lost their jobs and government cut public spending; issues which are common
to global South such as prostitution, heroin addiction and epidemics arises. Thus, the problems
of the global South are globalized. These terrible conditions wonder the British daily news “to
question “Is Greece becoming a third world country?” (Moran, 2012 cited by Claudio, 2014).

• Third World versus Global South

➢ To locate what are the states in global South, Grovugi (2011), cited by (Claudio, 2014),
contends that: The global South is not a directional designation or a point due to south from a
fixed north. Is a symbolic designation meant to capture the semblance of cohesion that
emerged when former colonial entities engaged in political projects of decolonization and
moved toward the realization of postcolonial international order. Thus, Grovogui suggest that
states in the international system of governance are those that have common experiences i.e.,
colonization. In the early phase of globalization in the 19 th century, anti-colonial ideas reached
former colonial territories which eventually ahs ben enlightened and developed the notion of
solidarity. Such solidarities were believed to be foundation of contemporary concept of global
South.
➢ After WWII, more countries are decolonized particularly when UN was founded created in
1945, when over 80 ex-colonies achieved independence (UN, 2011). This reconstructed the
world policies, which was aforementioned terms as the First (capitalist), Second (communist),
and Third (non-aligned) world emerged.
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• The North and South Divides

➢ Previously, interstate inequalities often pointed to the geographical areas where the state is
located. But more than this criterion of categorization is the degree of economic and political
power, which countries possess and are evidently observable in the interstate policies. The
figure below identifies the characteristics of the global North as differentiated from the global
South.

GLOBAL NORTH GLOBAL SOUTH

Home to all members of G8 (USA, Japan, Africa, Latin America, and Developing Asia
Russia, Italy, United Kingdom, Germany, including Middle East
France, Canada) and to four Security
Council’s (France, Russia, UK, USA)
USA Canada, Western Europe, Developed
parts of Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
Rich industrialized, wealthy nations Developing Nations
Democratic, Capitalist Countries Non-Democratic Countries

➢ Another way of classifying states as either developed or underdeveloped is by the concept of

human development that was first sent by United Nation in 1993. Human developments is a
standard of human well-being that takes account on people’s ability to develop their full
potential and lead fulfilled and creative lives in accordance with their needs and interest.

Top Ten and Bottom Countries in Terms of HDI Rankings

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(UN Human Development Report 2010)

1. Norway 1. Mali
2. Australia 2. Burkina Faso
3. New Zealand 3. Liberia
4. USA 4. Chad
5. Ireland 5. Guinea-Bissau
6. Lichtenstein 6. Mozambique
7. Netherlands 7. Burundi
8. Canada 8. Niger
9. Sweden Germany 9. Congo
10. Germany 10. Mozambique

➢ While geographical structures show location of states, which are characterized by poverty and
affluence, the concept of ‘North-South divide’ must have been reinforced by certain indicators,
which are associated with globalization. The idea was derived from Brandt Report, entitled
North-South: A Programme for Survival (1980), and Common Crisis: North-South Cooperation
fro World Recovery (1983), which was conducted by Independent Commission on International
Development Issues. Willy Brandt, the former Chancellor of West Germany, chaired this. The
report suggests that instead of concentrating on geographical split, the terms are essentially
conceptual and theoretical although it is prone to assume that in the ‘global North’ is where
industrial development is to be concentrated while in ‘global South’ (except Australia) is where
poverty and disadvantages exists. The concept points out that structural inequalities between
high-investment industrialized North and low-wage, low-investment rural South is attributed to
the aid, developing world debt and the practices of TNCs. Global South, therefore, are
generally recipients of either aid or debts and deemed victims of ‘violent economic cures’ of
international organizations like International Monetary Fund (IMF). In the same way why TNCs
in developing states negate globalization because of the growth of TNCs from global North
means domination of global market and exploiting cheap labor in developing countries.
Moreover, the report also emphasized that the prosperity of the North is dependent on the
development of the South.
➢ However, such classical image of TNCs was altered at the start of the 21st century where
TNCs from developing countries have reported to become increasingly important (UNCTAD,
World Investment Report 2006 and 2009). According to the report, the top 10 TNCs in 2007
were from 16 developing countries: China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Malaysia, Singapore,
Korea, Philippines, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, South Africa, Kuwait, Qatar and
Turkey. Furthermore, most of the developing country TNCs, though small, is found to become
major players In particular industries like cars, electronics, steel and container shipping.
➢ Therefore, these evolving conditions and structures in interstate politics suggest that we must
not limit the conception of global South and global North in their conventional characterization
but could be a representation of an emerging form.
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• Major Lenses of Global Relations

➢ In order to make sense of ‘north-south divide’ idea, we have to understand the theories,
values and assumptions through which global relations have been interpreted. How do
theorists see the world? What are the major ‘lenses’ on global relations?

o Realism
➢ Perhaps the most criticized perspectives yet most dominant and influential, realist ideas
can be traced from Niccolo Machiavelli and Thomas Hobbes. Realist vision is
pessimistic, i.e. international system is uneven, highly conflictual and marked by power
struggle, which based from how the human nature is being characterized; selfishness
and greed. States, as key global actors, prioritizes self-interest and survival. Being so,
the degree of peace is believed to be relative and temporal and can be disrupted
anytime. Thus, in interpreting the concept of ‘North-South divide,’ realists postulate that
the states in the global North and interacting with the countries in the global South in
order to promote their very own interest.

o Liberalism/Constructivism
➢ Liberals and constructivist have almost the same assumptions. However, liberals are
opposites of realism because of a more optimistic vision in international system. They
offer that the principle of balance and harmony is found in all forms of social
interactions. As reflected in Immanuel Kant’s belief ‘universal and perpetual peace’ is
possible because states are capable of economic interdependence, division and war
are less likely to happen.
➢ On the other hand, constructivists also convey cooperation, trust and peace among
international actors. However, these goals are possible only if these are based on
existing norms and conduct which are institutionalized. Hence, institutions play a vital
role in promoting peace in international system.

o Critical Perspectives: Marxism and Post Modernism

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o Marxism
▪ Regarded as the principle alternative to mainstream perspectives of realism
and liberalism. Marxism offers a distinctive approach by highlighting the
structures of economic power rather than patterns of conflict and cooperation.
It suggests inequalities in global system. As state in global South engage in
trading with parts of global North, this would only result to unequal benefits
between the players because generally, the capitalist or industrialized
countries in global North tend to dominate and exploit the global South. This
is true for Marxism since the playing field or the economic structure in
inherently uneven and further complicated by the impact of globalization.
o Post Modernism
▪ Postmodernist debunks the ideas of hierarchy, dogmas, or existing structures
in global relations. Represented by writings of Michael Foucalt,
postmodernism, was believed to be based on the beliefs that truth is always
contested and plural. Hence, emphasis was given that all ideas and concepts
are expressed in language which itself is caught in complex relations of
power. The use of language is referred as ‘idea of discourse power’- human
interactions, which can disclose or illustrate power relations (Heywood, 2011).

Major Lenses of International Relations

REALISM LIBERALISM/CONSTRUCTIVISM

NORTH vs. SOUTH

MARXISM POST MODERNISM

• Conclusion
➢ As globalization prevails, increase and intensification of global problems are also detected. But
these are not only evident among the geographical parts of South but as well as in the North.
Hence, this validates that the ills/poverty of the global South are continuously globalized.
➢ But, some countries in the global South had struggled and eventually achieved ‘affluence’ or
development. In this way, the global North may draw inspiration from the South experiences.
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Similarly, the global South countries, which were ex-colonies, may serve as models of
resistance for the world. For instance, India’s non-violence revolution headed by Mahatma
Gandhi and the Philippines’ war against Spanish colonizers and the bloodless revolution of
overthrowing dictatorship in 1986 may serve as such.
➢ However, among global problems, global warming continues to challenge both North-South
states. Between the two, global South has been more vocal and decisive on addressing the
threat of climate change through government initiatives and collective movements. This and
other prevailing global problems significantly demand for those state/people from the North to
support alternatives, initiatives and collective actions from the global South. A network of
solidarity is a must.
➢ The global South is therefore a metaphor and a symbol- a term, which does, not only pertains
to the specific geographic ideas but also reflects a developing concept of internationalism
which is expected to anchor from the moral potent of universal human equality.
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B. Asian Regionalism
• What is Regionalism?
➢ The term regionalism can be explained from different perspectives and fields. In economics-
regionalization or sometimes termed as localization- is a strategy in economics which focuses
on a particular region or area- it employs differentiation based on regions. For example, a
product may have different marketing strategies in terms of packaging and advertising
depending on the region it will be promoted. Globalization is a strategy that refers to the use of
the same business strategies by multinational companies in all markets operates in.
Globalization exceeds regional boundaries; products are being promoted without region-
specific focus. For example, the company offers the same product without any form of
differentiation; Twitter is a good example- the company is using regionalization and
globalization strategy. The Twitter page has the same look, feel and functionalities regardless
of whether one is accessing it in Africa or Europe or Asia. However, the trending section of the
site’s page is region sensitive and displays only content that is trending in the particular region
is a user is accessing it from.

• History of Regionalization in Southeast Asia

➢ After the Great War, regional leaders around the world look for new structure on how they
will manage their shared interest, threats and opportunities. Marginalized economies that
had been excluded from the world market were increasingly seeing renewed opportunities
in the collaboration with neighboring countries. Different actors (like non-state actors and
ideological groups) also progressively entered the vacuum that was left in global
governance. New Regionalism is a process of construction and deconstruction by different
players and changes according to the global processes-firms are established I particular
region that can be collectively react to global pressures, tensions and challenges. The
ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nation) is a perfect example of successful
cooperation that responds to external pressures and common challenges.
➢ On August 8, 1967, five leaders of Southeast Asian countries- the Foreign Minister of
Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand- met together in the
Department of Foreign Affairs building in Bangkok, Thailand and signed a document. By
virtue that document, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEANS) was born. The
five Foreign Ministers who signed:
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oAdam Malik- Indonesia

oNarciso R. Ramos- Philippines
oTun Abdul Razak- Malaysia
oS. Rajaratnam- Singapore
oThanat Khoman- Thailand
➢ Goals of ASEAN:
o More cooperation in terms of economic, social, cultural, technical, educational, and
other fields;
o Promotion of regional peace and stability through aiding respect for justice and the
rule of law and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter.
o It was stipulated that the association will be open for participation by all States in the
Southeast Asia region subscribing to its aims, principles, and purposes.
o It proclaimed ASEAN as representing “the collective will of the nations of Southeast
Asia to bind themselves together in friendship and cooperation, and through joint
efforts and sacrifices, secure for their people and for prosperity the blessing of
peace, freedom, and prosperity.” (ASEAN.com)

• Challenges and Response

➢ The crisis that hit Asian region in 1997-1998, made ASEAN realize the importance of
cooperation among members and non-members. One of the result of the crisis is the creation
of Asian monetary policy- despite of being allied with IMF- that Asia is imposing their own
financial framework for future crisis and that countries will no longer depend on US assistance.
Furthermore, ASEAN created bilateral agreements with China, Japan, and South Korea
(ASEAN+3), a framework that besides financial issues also includes deeper economic
cooperation. Other primary regional organizations are Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation
(APEC) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). There are global forces that meet
in the region- United States, the European Union, China, and Russia. Us has encouraged
economic cooperation in APEC, for it had no role in the ASEAN. Since ASEAN is a member of
APEC and has implemented its ‘open regionalism’ rhetoric, based on sovereignty, non-
interference and consensus in order to retain a certain degree of independence within the
organization. (Akkerman, 200).
➢ The success of ASEAN+3 (as of the moment), be another proof that there is an increase
regionalism in the Southeast and East Asian region. According to Prime Minister Lee Kuan
Yew, a wider regionalism, under auspices of ASEAN is “an idea that would not go away.”
Probably, it is still early to predict the consequences of Asian regionalism and ASEAN’s role in
it, but the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area is a sign for increased integration. And despite
China challenges the region and the world, more likely it will benefit from the growth of
ASEAN.
➢ Many regions are challenged since ASEAN is referred to as Third World Regional cooperation-
with countries to diverse with each other and yet it is successful. Its amazing that despite of
diversity in many aspect, countries in Southeast and East Asia came together with just one
slogan - ‘Unity in Diversity.’
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