The North-South Divide

Sep 25, 2024

Global Politics: The North-South Divide and Economic Governance

Introduction

  • Focus on poverty, its alleviation, and the north-south divide
  • Examination of international relations and the validity of the north-south divide as a measure

The North-South Divide

  • Coined in the 1980s by the Brandt Report
  • Distinction between developing (Global South) and developed (Global North) countries
  • Global North: Includes the US, Canada, Europe, and sometimes Australia and New Zealand
  • Global South: Includes African states, Latin America, parts of Asia, and the Middle East
  • Not purely geographical: exceptions include Australia and New Zealand

Characteristics of Global North and Global South

  • Global North:

    • Developed, westernized with Western values (democracy, human rights)
    • Hosts transnational corporations
    • Major player in global trade and investment
    • Structural hegemony in international governance (IMF, World Bank, G7, G20)
    • Political and security influence, e.g., UN Security Council
    • Examples: US, UK, Europe

  • Global South:

    • Developing with early industrial economies
    • Lack of structural hegemony
    • Lower life expectancy, perceived as less stable and more corrupt
    • Examples: Parts of Africa, Latin America, Asia

Issues with the North-South Divide Concept

  • The concept is often viewed through a Western lens
  • China challenges this divide due to its economic rise
  • Criticism of the divide as a neo-colonial perspective
  • Political commonalities exist across both divides

World Systems Theory

  • Neoliberal policies perpetuate the north-south divide
  • Bretton Woods institutions enforce neoliberalism
  • Developing countries coerced into neoliberal policies
  • Critique: Global South exploited for cheap labor, environmental and labor standards compromised

Neoliberalism and its Impact

  • Neoliberalism credited with global economic growth
  • Examples: China's rise to the second-largest economy
  • Global South's development becoming more relevant

Modern Development Trends

  • Growth in countries like Rwanda, Ethiopia, China
  • Impact of decolonization on development
  • Need to consider historical colonial impact on the Global South

Conclusion

  • The north-south divide remains a complex and evolving topic
  • Understanding its relevance requires consideration of various economic, political, and historical factors