The Global North

Abstract

The concept of Global North and Global South (or North–South divide in a global context) is used to describe a grouping of countries along the lines of socio-economic and political characteristics. The Global South is a term generally used to identify countries in the regions of Latin America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. Most, though not all of the countries in the Global South are characterized by low-income, dense population, poor infrastructure, often political or cultural marginalization,[1] and are on one side of the divide; while on the other side is the Global North (comprising the United States, Canada, all European countries, Russia, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and few others depending on context).[2][3][4] As such, the terms Global North and Global South do not refer to the directional North-south as many of the Global South countries are geographically located in the Northern Hemisphere. Countries that are developed are considered as Global North countries, while those developing are considered as Global South countries.[6][1] The term as used by governmental and developmental organizations was first introduced as a more open and value-free alternative to "Third World"[7] and similarly potentially "valuing" terms like developing countries. Countries of the Global South have been described as newly industrialized or are in the process of industrializing, and are frequently current or former subjects of colonialism.[8] The Global North generally correlates with the Western world—with the notable exceptions of Israel, Japan, and South Korea—while the South largely corresponds with the developing countries and the Eastern world. The two groups are often defined in terms of their differing levels of wealth, economic development, income inequality, democracy, and political and economic freedom, as defined by freedom indices. States that are generally seen as part of the Global North tend to be wealthier and less unequal; they are developed countries, which export technologically advanced manufactured products. Southern states are generally poorer developing countries with younger, more fragile democracies heavily dependent on primary sector exports, and they frequently share a history of past colonialism by Northern states.[8] Nevertheless, the divide between the North and the South is often challenged.[9] South-South cooperation has increased to "challenge the political and economic dominance of the North."[10][11][12] This cooperation has become a popular political and economic concept following geographical migrations of manufacturing and production activity from the North to the Global South[12] and the diplomatic action of several states, like China.[12] These contemporary economic trends have "enhanced the historical potential of economic growth and industrialization in the Global South," which has renewed targeted SSC efforts that "loosen the strictures imposed during the colonial era and transcend the boundaries of postwar political and economic geography."[13] Used in several books and American Literature special issue, the term Global South, recently became prominent for U.S. literature.[14]