Group 1: “Global Divides: The North and the South” | MWF 6:31-7:31

Summary

This educational script explores the global divide between the developed 'Global North' and the less-developed 'Global South'. It traces the historical roots of this disparity to colonialism and imperialism, highlighting how exploitation enriched the North while impoverishing the South. The script also discusses the Industrial Revolution's impact, the ongoing challenges faced by the South such as poverty and inequality, and the need for equitable global practices to address these issues.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The global divide separates the world into the developed 'Global North' and the less developed 'Global South'.
• 🏛️ Historical roots of the global divide can be traced back to European colonization and imperialism.
• 💼 The colonizers' exploitation enriched the colonizing nations while impoverishing the colonies.
• 🏭 The Industrial Revolution in the Global North widened the gap with the Global South.
• 📉 Many countries in the Global South remain dependent on exporting raw materials and agricultural products.
• 💹 Unequal trade relationships and subsidies in the Global North have contributed to economic disparities.
• 🌍 The legacy of colonialism continues to impact the Global South's struggle with economic and political disadvantages.
• 🌱 Addressing the global divide requires equitable trade practices, debt relief, and international cooperation.
• 🌿 Climate change poses an additional threat to the Global South, affecting countries disproportionately.
• 🔄 The term 'Global South' is a more recent and neutral alternative to the outdated 'Third World'.
• 🌱 Latin American countries have pursued economic sovereignty and regional integration to overcome historical dependency.

Q & A

What is the global divide?

The global divide refers to the socioeconomic and political distinction between the global North, which includes developed countries with higher levels of wealth, education, and technology, and the global South, which comprises developing countries facing challenges such as poverty, inequality, and limited resources.

What historical factors contributed to the global divide?

The global divide has its roots in historical processes like colonialism and imperialism, where wealth, power, and resources were concentrated in the hands of Northern countries at the expense of the Southern regions.

How did the Industrial Revolution impact the global divide?

The Industrial Revolution, which began in Europe and North America in the 18th century, brought prosperity to the global North but widened the gap with the global South, as many countries in the South remained dependent on exporting raw materials and agricultural products.

What are the consequences of the global divide?

The consequences of the global divide include economic inequality, migration, and environmental challenges. Many countries in the global South struggle to overcome the economic and political disadvantages imposed by their colonial past.

What is the difference between the global South and the third world?

The term 'third world' originated during the Cold War to describe countries not aligned with either the Western or Soviet blocs and later became associated with underdevelopment. The 'global South' is a more recent term that emphasizes shared experiences of economic and social inequalities and the impact of colonialism, without the negative connotations of 'third world'.

How does the global North maintain its advantage over the global South?

The global North maintains its advantage through factors such as unequal trade relationships, imposing tariffs on imports from developing countries, providing subsidies and government support to their industries, and having greater political influence on the global stage.

What are some examples of countries in the global North?

Countries typically considered part of the global North include developed countries in regions such as North America, Western Europe, and parts of Asia, like the United Kingdom, France, and the United States.

What are some examples of countries in the global South?

Countries often considered part of the global South include nations across Latin America, Africa, and much of Asia, such as India, the Philippines, Nigeria, and Brazil.

How does the global South aim to overcome its challenges?

The global South aims to overcome its challenges through strategies like equitable trade practices, debt relief, sustainable development, and international cooperation, as well as pursuing economic sovereignty and regional integration.

What is Dependency Theory and how does it relate to the global South?

Dependency Theory was developed by Latin American scholars to criticize the global system that kept them economically dependent. It inspired efforts to break free from exploitative trade relations and assert greater control over their economies.

How do Latin American countries contribute to the concept of global relations?

Latin American countries contribute to the concept of global relations by providing unique perspectives on national and regional political realities, emphasizing autonomy, self-determination, and the need for more inclusive and diverse viewpoints in global governance.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Global Divide: Origins and Impact

This paragraph discusses the global divide between the global North and South, characterized by economic development, political influence, and social indicators. The global North, often associated with Western countries, enjoys higher levels of development, while the global South, including most countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, faces challenges such as poverty, inequality, and limited access to resources. The historical roots of this divide are traced back to European colonization and imperialism, which established unfair economic and political systems favoring the colonizers. The Industrial Revolution further widened the gap, with the global North benefiting from increased productivity while the South remained dependent on exporting raw materials. Unequal trade relationships and subsidies in the North have contributed to persistent economic disparities. Despite progress, many countries in the global South continue to face significant challenges, and addressing the global divide requires equitable trade practices, debt relief, sustainable development, and international cooperation.

05:01

🌐 Understanding the Global North and South

The second paragraph delves into the distinction between the global North and South, emphasizing that it is more than just a geographical division. The global North includes developed countries in North America, Western Europe, and parts of Asia, known for high income levels, advanced technologies, and significant political influence. In contrast, the global South comprises nations in Latin America, Africa, and much of Asia, which are less industrialized and face greater challenges such as poverty and political instability. The paragraph also explains the historical context, including postcolonial struggles that left many Southern nations economically and politically vulnerable. It discusses how the global North has largely driven global decision-making, while the global South grapples with the consequences of systems shaped by Northern priorities. The terms 'third world' and 'global South' are compared, with the latter being a more recent and politically correct term that emphasizes shared experiences of economic and social inequalities.

10:02

📊 Factors Contributing to Global South's Underdevelopment

Paragraph three explores the factors contributing to the underdevelopment of the global South, including historical factors like colonialism and unequal trade relationships. It mentions that after gaining independence, many countries in the global South continued to have unfavorable trade terms that hindered their economic growth. The global South has also historically received less foreign investment and aid compared to the global North, which has limited its economic potential. High levels of debt in many countries have diverted resources away from development. Political instability, conflicts, corruption, and weak governance have also created unfavorable conditions for investment and growth. The lack of institutional capacity and infrastructure in many countries of the global South further impedes economic development. Additionally, global factors such as climate change disproportionately affect the global South, leading to natural disasters, crop failures, and population displacement.

15:04

🌱 Latin America's Pursuit of Economic Autonomy

The final paragraph focuses on Latin America's efforts to achieve economic autonomy and regional integration. It discusses how Latin American countries have historically struggled with economic dependency, resulting from their role as exporters of raw materials to richer, industrialized nations. To overcome this, they have pursued economic sovereignty and regional integration as key strategies. Initiatives like Mercosur and ALBA aim to strengthen regional trade, reduce reliance on Western powers, and promote collective self-reliance. The establishment of alternative financial institutions, such as the Bank of the South, demonstrates the region's commitment to funding development independently of Western neoliberal conditions. These strategies have helped Latin America strengthen its economic autonomy, allowing it to play a more influential role in the global economy. The paragraph also highlights how Latin American thinkers have contributed unique perspectives to the field of international relations, emphasizing autonomy and self-determination rather than a complete overhaul of global governance.

Keywords

💡Global North

The 'Global North' refers to the developed countries, primarily located in the Northern Hemisphere. These countries are characterized by higher levels of economic development, political influence, and social indicators. In the script, the Global North is contrasted with the Global South, highlighting the disparity in wealth and development between the two regions. The historical roots of this divide are traced back to European colonization and imperialism, which enriched the colonizing nations while impoverishing the colonies.

💡Global South

The 'Global South' encompasses countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia that face challenges such as poverty, inequality, and limited access to resources. The term is used to describe the less economically developed regions of the world and is deeply rooted in historical processes like colonialism and imperialism. The script discusses how the legacy of colonialism continues to shape the global divide today, with many countries in the Global South struggling to overcome the economic and political disadvantages imposed by their colonial past.

💡Colonialism

Colonialism is the practice of a powerful nation exerting control over a dependent area or people. The script mentions that European powers established vast colonial empires, exploiting resources and labor from colonized territories. This historical factor contributed significantly to the current global divide by enriching the colonizers while impoverishing the colonies, creating a lasting legacy that affects the Global South.

💡Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution, which began in the 18th century in Europe and North America, marked a significant turning point in global economic development. It led to increased productivity and efficiency through the invention of machines and development of factories. The script explains that while the Industrial Revolution brought prosperity to the Global North, it also widened the gap with the Global South, which remained dependent on exporting raw materials and agricultural products.

💡Economic Disparity

Economic disparity refers to the unequal distribution of wealth and resources among different regions or groups. The script discusses how unequal trade relationships and subsidies from the Global North have contributed to persistent economic disparities between it and the Global South, reinforcing the global divide.

💡Structural Adjustment Programs

Structural Adjustment Programs are economic policies imposed by international financial institutions on countries in need of financial aid. The script mentions that these programs often lead to social hardship and increased inequality in the Global South, exacerbating the challenges faced by these countries.

💡Climate Change

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. The script highlights that developing countries in the Global South are disproportionately affected by climate change, facing rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and desertification, which pose additional threats to their development.

💡Equitable Trade Practices

Equitable trade practices involve fair and just economic exchanges that benefit all parties involved. The script suggests that addressing the global divide requires adopting equitable trade practices, which can help reduce economic disparities between the Global North and South.

💡Debt Relief

Debt relief refers to the cancellation or reduction of debt owed by developing countries. The script implies that debt relief could be a crucial strategy in addressing the global divide by alleviating the financial burden on countries in the Global South.

💡Sustainable Development

Sustainable development aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The script connects sustainable development with the need to address global inequalities and promote long-term economic growth that is environmentally responsible and socially inclusive.

💡Dependency Theory

Dependency Theory is an economic theory that suggests a historical pattern of economic unequal exchange between the core (Global North) and the periphery (Global South). The script discusses how Latin American scholars developed this theory to criticize the global system that kept them economically dependent, inspiring efforts to break free from exploitative trade relations.

Highlights

The global divide is crucial for understanding contemporary global issues such as economic inequality, migration, and environmental challenges.

The historical roots of the global divide can be traced back to European colonization and imperialism.

Colonizers extracted valuable raw materials and resources from colonized territories, enriching themselves and impoverishing the colonies.

Unfair economic and political systems imposed by colonizers limited the economic development of colonized regions and suppressed local cultures.

The legacy of colonialism continues to shape the global divide today.

The Industrial Revolution in Europe and North America marked a significant turning point in global economic development.

Many countries in the global South remain dependent on the export of raw materials and agricultural products.

Unequal trade relationships and subsidies in the global North have contributed to the persistent economic disparities.

The global divide persists with many countries facing significant challenges including poverty, inequality, and limited access to essential services.

The term 'third world' originated during the Cold War and is now considered outdated and somewhat pejorative.

The term 'Global South' emphasizes shared experiences of economic and social inequalities and the impact of colonialism.

The global North primarily includes developed countries with high income levels, advanced technologies, and robust infrastructures.

The global South comprises nations facing greater challenges like poverty, inequality, and political instability.

Postcolonial struggles for independence left many Southern Nations economically and politically vulnerable.

The global North has largely driven global decision-making, while the global South often grapples with the consequences.

Addressing the global divide requires equitable trade practices, debt relief, sustainable development, and international cooperation.

Climate change poses an additional threat to the global South, with developing countries being disproportionately affected.

Dependency Theory was developed by Latin American scholars to criticize the global system that kept them economically dependent.

Regional integration and economic sovereignty are key strategies pursued by Latin American countries to overcome economic dependency.

The pursuit of economic sovereignty and regional integration in Latin America reflects determined efforts to break free from historical patterns of dependency.

Latin American experiences have given rise to various conceptions of global relations, contributing unique perspectives to international affairs.

Transcripts

this is for educational purposes only

our group allowed our instructor Mr ran

Ard to use this as an educational

material as this map illustrates the

bank line roughly separates these two

regions the global North often

associated with Western countries enjoys

higher levels of economic development

political influence and social

indicators in contrast the global sou

which includes most countries in Africa

Latin America and Asia faces numerous

challenges related to Poverty inequality

and limited access to

resources understanding Global divide is

crucial to comprehending contemporary

Global issues such such as economic

inequality migration and environmental

challenges the historical roots of the

global divide can be traced back to the

era of European

colonis and imperialism for

European powers established vast

colonial empires exerting control over

vast territories and exploiting their

resources and labor colonizers extracted

valuable raw materials such as minerals

Timber and agricultural products from

colonized territories the exploitation

enriched the colonizing Nations while

improvising the colonies moreover the

colonizers impose unfair economic and

political systems that favored their own

interests these systems often limited to

economic development of colonized

regions and suppressed local cultures

and

traditions the legacy of colon colon

colonialism continues to shape the

global divide today as many countries in

the global South struggle to overcome

the economic and political disadvantage

imposed by their colonial past the

Industrial Revolution which began in

Europe in North America in the 18th

century marked a significant turning

point in global economic development the

invention of machines and development of

factories led to increased productivity

and

efficiency while the Industrial

Revolution brought prosperity to the

global North it also widened the Gap

with the global South many countries in

the global South remain dependent on

exporter of raw materials and

agricultural products making them

vulnerable to price fluctuation in

Global Market unequal trade

relationships further

exaggerated this divide development

countries often impose THS on imports

from developing countries limiting their

Market access additionally subsidies

from other forms of government support

provided to Industries in a global North

gave them a competitive

Advantage these factors contributed to

the persistent economic disparities

between Global North and Global South

South reinforcing the global divide

despite the progress made by some

countries in the global South the global

divide persists many continue to face

significant challenges including poverty

inequality and limited access to

essential Services the legacy of

colonialism coupled with globalization

and neoliberal policies has

exagerated these

challenges structural adjustment

programs imposed by International

financial institutions often led to

social hardship and increased

inequality climate change poses an

addition threat to the global South with

developing countries being

disproportionately affected by rising

sea levels extreme weather events and

desertification addressing the global

divide requires a

multifaceted approach that includes

Equitable Trade Practices debt and

relief sustainable development and an

international

cooperation by working together we can

create a more just and Equitable world

of

all the division between Global North

and Global South is a socioeconomic and

political distinction that goes beyond

simple geography the global n primarily

includes developed countries in region

such as North America Western Europe and

parts of Asia these countries are

characterized by high income levels

Advanced Technologies robust

infrastructures and greater political

influence on the global stage the global

South by

contrast comprises Nations across Latin

America Africa and much of Asia where

economies tend to be less industrialized

and face greater challenges like poverty

inequality and political

instability this divide is deeply rooted

in historical processes particularly

colonialism and imperialism where wealth

power and resources were concentrated in

the hands of Northern countries at the

expense of the Southern

regions postcolonial struggles for

Independence left many Southern Nations

economically and politically vulnerable

further widening the Gap over time the

global North has largely D driven Global

decision making while a global South

often grapples with the consequences of

Global Systems shaped by Northern

priorities today debates around

development climate change and trade

reflect the ongoing disparities and

power imbalances that this divide

encapsulates the global divide between

the North and the South is a

socieconomic and political

disparity the N typically consisting of

devel veled countries enjoys higher

level of wealth education and

technology in contrast the South often

composed of developing countries faces

challenges such as poverty inequality

and limited

resources historical factors like

colonialism and economic policies have

contributed to this divide perpetuating

disparities and development and

opportunities

while the Divide is complex and

multifaced understanding its Origins and

consequences is crucial for addressing

Global inequalities promoting

sustainability

development what is the difference

between the third world and Global

South the terms third world and Global

South are both used to describe groups

of countries but they stem from

different historical conexs third world

was going during the Cold War to refer

to countries that were not aligned with

either the Western block or the Soviet

block over time the term be became

associated with poverty under

development and lack of industrial

industrialization which led to its being

viewed as outdated and somewhat

pejorative the third world

example uh during the Cold War countries

like India Egypt and Yugoslavia were

considered part of the third world

because they were nonaligned meaning

they did not formally side with either

the United States or the Soviet Union

India for instance played a leading role

in the non-aligned movement which aimed

to avoid the influence of the major

powers on the other hand Global South is

a more recent term that emerg as a

neutral and politically correct

alternative

it emphasizes the shared experience of

countries in Africa Latin America Asia

and Oceania particularly regarding

economic and social inequalities and the

impact of colonialism and Global power

dynamics the term is commonly used in

discussions of global development and

geopolitics focusing on the disparities

between these regions and the more

developed nations of the global North

the example of global South is Brazil is

often I often referred to as part of the

global South in contemporary discussion

the term is used to highlight Brazil's

status as a developing country facing

economic challenges and social

inequalities despite being a major

regional power the use of global South

emphasizes Brazil's shared experiences

with other countries in Latin America

Africa and Asia particularly in in terms

of historical exploitation and ongoing

development struggle I'll be defining

Global South the term Global South

refers to countries that are generally

located in the southern hemisphere

although it is more of a socioeconomic

and political

designation than a

strictly geographical one this country

often characterized by lower levels of

industrialization econom development and

income per capita the term is used

to contrast with a global ner which

includes wealthier more developed

countries the global South typically

includes regions such as Africa Latin

America and the Caribbean parts of Asia

particularly South and Southeast Asia

and the Middle East the example of the

global South country is India India is a

prominent example of a global South

Country it is a developing Nation with

significant economic growth but still

faces challenges related to Poverty

inequality and

inor despite these challenges India

plays a crucial role in global Affairs

and has a rapidly growing economy that

is the reason why Global South is less

economic developed the global South is a

term used to describe the less

economically developed countries of the

world primarily located in the southern

hemisphere it is contrasted with the

global North which refers to more

developed countries of the northern

hemisphere the underdevelopment of the

global South is a complex issue with no

single cause there are some the main

factors that have contributed to this

disparity and like historical

factors and unequal trade relationships

after Independence many countries in the

global South contined to have unequal

trade relationship with the global n

with unfavorable terms of trade that

favored develop

countries and economic

factors and lack of investment the

global South has historically receive

less foreign investment and Aid compared

to the global n limiting it economic

growth

potential and Deb many countries in the

global South have struggled with high

levels of Deb which can divert resources

from development and create a cycle of

poverty and political and social factors

and political instability conflicts

corruption and weak governance can

create a hostile environment for

investment and economic growth and lack

of institutional capacity many countries

in the global South lack the necessary

institution and infrastructure to

support Economic Development and in

global factors such as climate change

the global South is disproportionately

affected by climate change which can

lead to natural

disasters and crop failures and

displacement of populations and here's

some some of examples of countries

typically considered of the global North

such in Europe like United Kingdom

France and North America here and here

is example of countries that typically

considered part of global South and in

Asia there's India like in our pH

Philippines Africa and Nigeria

differentiate the global south from the

third world third world these terms

originated during the Cold War to

describe countries that were neither

aligned with NATO the first world nor

with the Communist block or the second

world over time it became associated

with

countries that were economic

underdeveloped or less

industrialized today the term is

considered outdated and potential proera

due to its association with simplistic

of often negative View of De development

and progress the global South these

terms are generally refers to countries

located in the Southern Hemisphere or

those that are less economically

developed or regardless of geographic

location it emphasiz a shared experience

historical

economization economic and

marginalization and ongoing struggles

with

inequality the term is used to foster a

sense of solidarity

among countries facing Sim similar

systemic issue and and focuses their

potential for Collective action and

development in analyzing how A New

Concept of global relations emerged from

experiences of Latin American countries

economic sovereignity and Regional

integration is one of the best example

Latin American countries have

historically grumped with economic

dependency a condition resulting from

their rules of exporters of raw

materials to richer industrialized

nations the term of Trades were often

unfavorable trapping these countries in

cycle of

underdevelopment to overcome this and

assert greater control over their

economies Latin American pursued

economic sovereignity and Regional

integration as key strategies let's

analyze it a Dependency Theory and

economic

critics Latin American Scholars develop

Dependency Theory to critic the global

system that keep them economically

dependent inspiring efforts to break

free from exploitative trades relations

B Regional integration and

strategies initiatives like Miss Cur and

Alba focus on threatening re Regional

trades reducing Reliance on Western

powers and promoting Collective

self-reliance within Latin America C

alternative to Western financial

institution projects like Bank of South

were launched to fund development

without neoliberal conditions of Western

Financial entities supporting Latin

American economic

sovereignity the pursuit of Economic

sovereignity and Regional integration in

Latin America reflects a determined

efforts to break free from historical

patterns of dependency and external

control by critic and globally economic

system through Dependency Theory Latin

America Nations recognize the need of

reduced Reliance on Western Powers this

Leed to the creation of regional blocks

like mosur and Alba which prioritize

internal trades and Collective

self-reliance additionally the

establishment of alternate

financial institution such as Bank of

the South highlights the Region's

commitment to funding and its

development independently of Western

neoliberal conditions together the

strategies have strengthening Latin

America's economic autonomy allowing the

regions to assert a more influential and

self-determined rule in global

economy Latin American countries

experiences have given rise to the

various conceptions of global relations

contributing unique perspectives to the

field of international Affairs Latin

American thinkers have provided

explanations and interpretations of both

National and regional political

realities from their own

viewpoints influencing

broader generalization and impacting the

international and Regional

systems their understanding of global

governance

place a strong emphasis on autonomy

viewing it as a crucial aspect of

self-determination rather than seeking a

complete overhaul of global governance

Latin American countries have aimed to

secure

autonomy adapt to opportunities to

reshape

existing rules while reducing external

pressures the development of the Latin

American international relations substit

system has been marked by the formation

of integration Focus unions of an even

distribution of distinct features

exemplified by the Latin American free

trade American Common Market these

experiences have shaped Latin American

perspective on global

relations underscoring the importance of

incorporations more inclusive and

diverse viewpoints in Public Relation

and Global governance ni