Global South grows in political potency

THE concept of the “Global South” dates back to the 20th century, yet the term’s usage has grown significantly since then, including in the 2020s following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Politically, many of the developing countries of the South do not perceive the Ukraine conflict in the same stark moral terms as much of the West, and are therefore ostensibly unaligned in public. For many countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, such non-alignment has significant appeal. A wide number depend heavily on trade, aid, investment and/ or weaponry from both Western powers and from China, if not also from Russia.

Economically, one of the consequences of Moscow’s invasion, plus also the pandemic, has been the stunting of growth in many of these nations, too. It is in this hugely dynamic context that moves are afoot to bring greater organisational identity to the South. To be sure, there have long been forums such as the G77, which is a coalition of well over 100 developing countries, designed to promote collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations.