The "Global South" refers to countries often characterized by developing economies and historical experiences of colonialism, primarily located in Asia, Africa,...
It's a geopolitical and socio-economic term referring to countries primarily in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, often characterized by developing economies, post-colonial histories, and shared challenges regarding economic development and global influence.
While many Global South countries are geographically in the Southern Hemisphere, the term is primarily socio-economic and political, referring to shared historical experiences and developmental status rather than strict geography.
Key issues include economic inequality, climate change vulnerability, historical debt burdens, limited representation in international institutions, and the pursuit of sustainable development and greater geopolitical agency.
While often overlapping, "Global South" emphasizes shared historical experiences (e.g., colonialism) and a collective political identity seeking agency, whereas "developing countries" is more purely an economic classification.
The Global South increasingly asserts its collective voice on issues like climate action, international trade, and multilateral reform, advocating for a more balanced and equitable international order and challenging traditional power structures.