The ‘Global South’ in the study of world politics: examining a meta category

Abstract

This introductory contribution examines the 'Global South' as a meta category in the study of world politics. Against the backdrop of a steep rise in references to the 'Global South' across academic publications, we ask whether and how the North-South binary in general, and the '(Global) South' in particular, can be put to use analytically. Building on meta categories as tools for the classification of global space, we discuss the increasing prominence of the 'Global South' and then outline different understandings attached to it, notably socio-economic marginality, multilateral alliance-building and resistance against global hegemonic power. Following an overview of individual contributions to this volume, we reflect on the analytical implications for using the 'Global South' category in academic research. Insights from China, the Caribbean, international negotiations or academic knowledge production itself not only point to patterns of shared experiences but also highlight the heterogeneity of 'Southern' realities and increasing levels of complexity that cut across the North-South divide. Overall, we argue for an issue-based and field-specific use of the 'Global South' as part of a broader commitment to a more deliberate, explicit and differentiated engagement with taken-for-granted categories.

Introduction: Shaping a Global Horizon, New Histories of the Global South and the UN

“…We also seek to connect the efforts of diverse African, Asian, and Latin American actors to address the myriad challenges of socioeconomic development, postcolonial state-building, and the legacies of colonialism and imperialism by accentuating the "global" scope of their efforts to redress the po liti cal and economic imbalance between the north and south. 8 Secondly, in examining this shape-shifting group, it is impor tant to question why existing histories have omitted these actors, given their considerable presence within, especially, the UN archives. This omission would suggest that methodological and theoretical approaches have either failed to highlight the historical agency of Global South actors in a clear way or have obscured their role indirectly.…”

Pandemics and consumer well‐being from the Global South

“…A discerning estimation of the articles in this collection compels us to project the future scope of research that recognizes consumer behavior and well‐being in the Global South during pandemics or equally grave global crises. In recent years, the Global South has arisen as a transcendent basic idea in scholarly and public discourses (Connell & Dados, 2014; Haug et al, 2021; Prashad, 2012; Woodward, 2012). The meta category of Global South, in world politics, refers to Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and parts of Asia and Oceania, with blurred contours but in sharp opposition to the Global North mainstreaming and privileges.…”

Reflexión sobre la integración social del colectivo coreano en Chile: Un análisis de sus factores endógenos y exógenos

“…Esta división se ha conocido como la Línea Brandt, derivada del "Informe Brandt" 3 de 1980, y desde su creación las categorías de Norte y Sur global han sido incorporadas al análisis de las relaciones internacionales de todos los países del sistema internacional (Lees, 2021). Es interesante notar que esta división pone en una categoría única de "sur global" (Berger, 2021) a América del Sur, al continente africano y a un porcentaje importante de los países asiáticos (Haug, Braveboy-Wagner, y Maihold, 2021).…”