The Global South: origins and significance

Source: The post is based on the article “The Global South: origins and significance” published in “The Hindu” on 11th July 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

News: The refusal of several important African, Asian, and Latin American countries to stand with NATO in the Ukraine crisis has pushed the phrase “Global South” to the fore once more.

What does the term ‘Global South’ Signify and why is it relevant today?

The term “Global South” broadly refers to developing or underdeveloped countries, primarily situated in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. These nations often face higher levels of poverty, income inequality, and lower life expectancies in comparison to the wealthier nations of the “Global North,” which mostly include North America, Europe, and parts of Oceania.

How did ‘Global South’ replace the term ‘Third World’?

The term ‘Global South’ was first used in 1969 by political activist Carl Oglesby. However, it only gained significant traction after the 1991 Soviet Union breakup. Before that, ‘Third World’ was the widely used term for under-industrialized nations, coined by Alfred Sauvy in 1952. After the Soviet Union’s fall, the term ‘Third World’ became less popular, largely due to its negative associations with instability and poverty. The phrase ‘Global South’ emerged as a more neutral replacement, dissociating from the problematic narratives of ‘developed’ and ‘underdeveloped’ nations.

Is the ‘Global South’ geographically defined?

No, the term ‘Global South’ isn’t geographically constrained. The two largest countries in the Global South, China and India, are located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere. It is more of a geopolitical term denoting political, economic, and historical commonalities. Most of these nations experienced colonialism and imperialism, shaping their perspective on global power dynamics, especially in relation to the West.

What’s changing in the ‘Global South’?

A significant shift in wealth has been noted since the 21st century, with wealth moving from the North Atlantic to Asia Pacific. By 2030, three of the four largest economies (China, India, and Indonesia) are expected to be from the Global South. The combined GDP of BRICS nations, which are dominated by the Global South, has already surpassed that of the G7 countries. Additionally, cities like Beijing now boast more billionaires than New York.

Is the ‘Global South’ gaining more political influence?

Countries from the Global South are increasingly flexing their political muscles. For instance, China is playing an important role in Middle Eastern diplomacy, while Brazil is actively proposing peace plans for the war in Ukraine. This rise in political and economic power is reshaping global dynamics, with experts predicting the arrival of an “Asian Century” and a “post-Western world.”