The term” World Southern” has become increasingly common in discussions about global relations, development and politics. However, unlike the more precisely defined” Indo-Pacific”, the” Global South” lacks clear geographic boundaries and explicit meaning.
This lack of clarity can cause suboptimal policy choices, which is dangerous. It is crucial to have clear communication with politicians and international counterparts.
Origins and adoption
The word” Indo-Pacific” was popularized by the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2016. In distinction,” Global South” emerged as an exonym, coined by American advocate Carl Oglesby in 1969 during the perspective of the Vietnam War. While” Indo-Pacific” is an endonym, self-designated and propagated by Japan, other countries in the region including the US, Australia, India and South Korea later adopted it. In distinction,” Global South” lacks a consolidated self-designation or equity.
Global North over Global South
Interestingly, there is n’t as much talk about the” Global North” in the northern hemisphere. Unlike the” Global South”, which lacks clear boundaries, the Global North is n’t equivalent to specific groups like the G7, NATO, or the EU. An alternative unipolar world order is pursued by illiberal northern powers like China and Russia, which is unique from the global West.
Yet within Western nations, variations exist in how they respond to global issues, from the condition in Gaza to the Russian invasion to the Ukraine. The absence of a” International North” properly captures the diversity of the developed and developing nations in the northern hemisphere.
Administrative problems
The” International West” also lacks its own umbrella organizations. Regional companies ( for example, ASEAN, African Union, Mercosur ) focus on specific regions rather than the whole southern hemisphere. Similarly, there are developing countries in Europe ( for example, Albania, Moldova ), challenging the notion that development issues are exclusive to the southern hemisphere.
Nuanced fact
A number of nations with varying socio-economic and technical development are included in the southern hemisphere. The variety is incredible, from democratic governments in their early stages like Australia and New Zealand to failed states like Somalia and South Sudan.
During the Cold War, the term” third world countries” was used, but it reflected a broad generalization that did n’t capture the nuances of development.
For example, Japan, alongside regional powerhouses such as Australia, Brazil, India and South Korea, extended invitations to Comoros ( the chair of the African Union in 2023 ), the Cook Islands ( holding the chair of the Pacific Islands Forum in 2023 ), Indonesia ( chairing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2023 ), and Vietnam ( Japan’s strategic partner within ASEAN ) to the 49th G7 Summit held in Hiroshima in May 2023.
This cherry-picking of individuals is not random. Rather, it serves the interests of the administrators more than it benefits the attendees.
Although it could provide a system for ad hoc cooperation led by an external power and for some emerging and developing nations to acknowledge their shared goals and challenges, this careful approach fails in essence to create a powerful and organic regional identity for the invitees.
In conclusion, the” International West” is an imperfect tag. As we discuss world issues, let’s understand the rich variety within the southern hemisphere and avoid generalization. Generally, positive cases abound:
- South Korea, again among the poorest Asian nations, transformed into an economic powerhouse and international systems head.
- Taiwan, itself after weak, is nipping at the feet of Japan’s per person money.
- The success tales of the countries in Central and Eastern Europe’s EU and NATO membership demonstrate extraordinary transformations and endurance.
Likewise, Venezuela, rich in the mid-20th era, has faced significant challenges in recent years.
It might be claimed that Britain hampered more progress because the UK left the EU’s one market and customs union in 2021. In the bigger picture, the UK’s business relative to its market size lagged behind another key countries post-pandemic. Most of the 71 fresh trade deals signed only replicate old Union agreements, and their influence remains ambiguous.
After all, success stories and problems may come from unexpected locations, irrespective of where they are on the map.