Global South: Conceptual Approaches and SocioEconomic Processes

Abstract

In a dynamic world, developing in the direction of polycentricism, the countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America, forming together the so-called Global South, are increasingly prominent. Today, the Global South comprises nearly two-thirds of the UN member states, accounts for about 80% of the world’s population, about 50% of world GDP and about a half of total international trade. These dry figures alone point to the paramount methodological, scientific and practical importance of studying the economic and socio-political issues of the Global South, a comprehensive analysis of its role in the world economy and politics, in the globalization, and also in geoeconomic and geopolitical relations. Equally relevant is the analysis of the Global South’s participation in the international community’s efforts to combat global challenges, including climate change, the eradication of poverty, the fight against cross-border terrorism and drug trafficking, humanity’s victory over the COVID-19 pandemic and the launch of the recovery economic growth undermined by the coronacrisis. According to the author’s of the article point of view, the former colonial and dependent countries forming the GlobalSouth, many of which have achieved state independence in the last 50-60 years, have accumulated considerable experience of joint actions to defend their economic and political interests, established mechanisms and organizations of cooperation in a variety of fields. Far from simplifying the extremely difficult present situation and not turning a blind eye to existing problems and difficulties, it is logical to assume that a rich historical experience and a large international weight can enable the countries of the Global South to participate actively in building a more sustainable, just and secure world order.