The document discusses the Global South, which refers broadly to developing countries located primarily in the Southern Hemisphere. It describes the origins and classifications of the terminology used to describe developing versus developed countries. It outlines key differences between the Global North and South in terms of population, wealth, health outcomes, infrastructure, and more. Colonialism and exploitation are cited as root causes of the disparities between the two regions.
The document discusses the Global South, which refers broadly to developing countries located primarily in the Southern Hemisphere. It describes the origins and classifications of the terminology used to describe developing versus developed countries. It outlines key differences between the Global North and South in terms of population, wealth, health outcomes, infrastructure, and more. Colonialism and exploitation are cited as root causes of the disparities between the two regions.
The document discusses the Global South, which refers broadly to developing countries located primarily in the Southern Hemisphere. It describes the origins and classifications of the terminology used to describe developing versus developed countries. It outlines key differences between the Global North and South in terms of population, wealth, health outcomes, infrastructure, and more. Colonialism and exploitation are cited as root causes of the disparities between the two regions.
Global South refers to developing countries primarily found in the Southern Hemisphere
A division based only loosely on geography and more on the degree of
development the Global North also includes Australia & New Zealand
First World, Second World and Third World terminology employed
during the Cold War
Now usually referred to as developed and developing countries or
as Global North and Global South countries The Global South
Great diversity in size, form of government and level
of economic development (e.g., Qatar), but generally former Global North colonies
Typically part of a zone of turmoil
While democracy has been spreading, the countries
typically have more fragile institutions and greater risks of tyranny and instability Disparities between North and South Developed Global North Developing Global South Population (millions): 1, 135 GNI per capita: $38, 471 Population (millions): 5,839.2 GDP Growth (2011-2012): GNI per capita: $6, 451 1.5% GDP Growth (2011-2012): Health expenditure: 12.3% 6.3% Undernourishment: 5% Health expenditure: 5.8% Armed forces (thousands): Undernourishment: 14% 5,618 Armed forces (thousands): 22, 402 A Global North- South comparison 20% of population & 30% land mass, 70% of wealth 6 times higher gross national income per capita 13 years higher life expectancy (80 to 67) 8 times less infant mortality (6 vs 50 per 1000) 68 computers per 100 people (5 in Global South) Seven times higher electric power consumption 87% paved roads (24% in Global South) Explaining the Differences between North and South The classical liberal explanation lack of education, managerial efficiency, technology and infrastructure
World dependency theory a division of labor between
the dominant core and a subordinate periphery, keeping the majority in the periphery in poverty while allowing great wealth to a tiny elite, while imposing foreign cultural values The Impact of Colonialism Rules for the international systems made by the rich and powerful to protect their interests; those rules essentially remain the same Colonialism regarded by many as the root cause of power and wealth disparities between North and South Colonialism took place in two waves: the first from 1500 to around 1800 and the second from around the mid 1800s to 1914 Native populations destroyed and slavery introduced in the first wave Following the second wave, four fifths of the globe was in European and American hands by 1914 Motivations for Imperialism Industrialization and search for new markets Heighted nationalist sentiments in Europe Acquiring naval bases, raw markets and capital investment opportunities Exporting surplus population Spreading Christianity Prestige associated with empire building Superiority of European civilization The Road to Decolonization Shifts in opinions about imperialism after WW1 Emergence of the principle of national self- determination accepted at the Treaty of Versailles of 1919 Decolonization acquired momentum after World War Two Victorious powers no longer had the resources to maintain their empires Decolonization process triggered by the British granting independence to India and Pakistan in 1947 Decolonization was largely peaceful and took place very quickly Decolonization progressed because the West now attached greater priority to containing communism than to maintaining colonialism Non-alignment Emerged in 1955 at a conference of Asian and African leaders in Indonesia Main leaders behind the movement were Jawaharlal Nehru (India), Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt), Muhammad Soekarno (Indonesia) and Josef Tito (Yugoslavia) Revolved around five main principles: Mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty; Mutual non-aggression; Non-interference in internal affairs Equality and mutual benefit Peaceful coexistence Most non-aligned countries were critical of the Western bloc
Impartial in theory but not in practice
Called for setting up a New International Economic Order (NIEO) based on
six principles: Regulating transnational corporations Transferring technology from north to south Restructuring global trade so as to facilitate LDC development Cancelling or renegotiating LDC debts Increasing economic aid to LDCs Giving LDCs more voting power within international economic institutions Global South vs. Global North in the 21st century During the Cold War, Global South countries could obtain resources merely by choosing sides; today the challenge is to retain the interest of Global North countries
Resources are important, but direct aid has decreased,
and coming US energy independence will cause a fundamental geopolitical shift State weakness and failure
In many decolonized states, institutions remained
weak, leading to chronic instability and at times outright failure and collapse
Multiple indicators of state weakness: demographic
pressure; refugees; insurgencies; uneven development; brain drain; economic decline; loss of state legitimacy; failure to provide essential public services; rule of law not upheld; rise of militias; fractured elites; and external intervention Examples of State Failure: Zimbabwe Twenty years ago the country was celebrated as an African success story It had one of the best health and education systems in the region In 1990, life expectancy was 61 years; today, it is one of the lowest in the world The backbone of Zimbabwe's economy - agriculture - has been crippled by the combined effects of drought, HIV/AIDS and controversial government land reforms Zimbabwes president, Robert Mugabe, is the oldest and one of the longest serving heads of state in the world Challenges and prospects for the Global South The challenge economic development and closing the gap with the Global North
Ways to close the gap
Free trade agreements Assistance from Global North countries (foreign aid) Remittances from citizens abroad Direct foreign investment from private companies Microfinancing; technology Emerging Powers from the South The rise of the BRICS All five are members of the G-20 (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom and United Statesalong with the European Union) China is at the heart of BRICS: Worlds largest exporter and second largest economy; US in debt to China to the tune of $1.24 trillion Slowdown of the BRICS economies