As the 2024 BRICS Leaders’ Summit draws near, discussions within the Global South have taken center stage, highlighting growing shifts in global governance and development paradigms. On the eve of the summit, the Global South Think Tanks Forum was held in Beijing, co-hosted by the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and China Media Group. With world leaders, experts, and officials from over 76 countries in attendance, the forum examined pressing global issues such as peace, development, and security, emphasizing a cooperative future for Global South nations.
This event underscores the growing divide in global governance between Global South countries, particularly those within BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), and the traditional Western powers. The 2024 Global South Think Tanks Forum offers a glimpse into how countries in the Global South are redefining their roles on the world stage and challenging the Western-centric world order. This article takes a deeper look into the dynamics of Global South versus Western nations in global politics, economics, and development, reflecting on how BRICS and similar initiatives are shaping new global structures.
The Rise of the Global South
The concept of the Global South refers to countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Oceania, often positioned in contrast to the industrialized, wealthy nations of the Global North, particularly in Europe and North America. Historically, these countries have been marginalized in global decision-making processes, as institutions like the United Nations, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have primarily catered to the interests of Western countries. However, recent years have seen a significant rise in the influence of the Global South, largely driven by economic growth, industrial development, and increased diplomatic cooperation, especially through platforms like BRICS.
Global South Cooperation and BRICS
BRICS is an economic coalition of emerging markets from the Global South that has gained prominence over the past decade as a counterbalance to Western-dominated global institutions. With its roots in addressing economic inequalities, BRICS has since expanded its focus to include political, security, and development issues, playing an increasingly critical role in shaping global governance.
At the 2024 Global South Think Tanks Forum, Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, emphasized China’s role as a pivotal player in the Global South, stating:
“As a member of the Global South, China has long stood in solidarity with other fellow Global South countries… China will stand united with other Global South countries to shoulder responsibilities and play a key role.”
This sentiment reflects the wider objectives of BRICS, which aims to promote South-South cooperation and advocate for a more equitable global order. The rise of these initiatives demonstrates that countries in the Global South are no longer content with their historical subservient position and are actively seeking to challenge the West’s dominance.
Global South vs. Western Approaches
The development models adopted by Global South countries significantly diverge from those espoused by the West. Traditionally, the West has promoted market liberalization, democratic governance, and human rights as key pillars of development. However, for many Global South countries, these models have often come at the expense of national sovereignty, local traditions, and economic independence.
China’s Role as a Development Leader
China’s development model, characterized by its “Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI) and Global Development Initiative (GDI), offers an alternative vision. The BRI, launched in 2013, aims to build infrastructure and foster economic cooperation between countries, particularly in the Global South, through investments in roads, ports, and energy projects. By 2024, over 140 countries have signed agreements with China under the BRI, with a significant portion hailing from Africa and Latin America Global South Think Tanks Forum, Shen Haixiong, President of China Media Group, remarked:
“We will actively build bridges and connections for dialogue and mutual learning… We stand ready to work with think tanks from the Global South to contribute to the building of a community with a shared future.”
The emphasis on mutual learning and cooperation contrasts sharply with Western models that often impose conditionalities, such as democratic reforms or economic restructuring, on development aid. For countries in the Global South, China’s approach represents a more pragmatic and respectful alternative, prioritizing economic growth and infrastructural development over political interference.
Western Response to Global South Initiatives
Western countries, particularly the United States and European Union, have grown increasingly wary of China’s influence in the Global South. They argue that Chinese investments through the BRI and similar initiatives lead to “debt traps” that undermine the sovereignty of recipient nations . Howeveobal South nations see these investments as opportunities to break free from the economic dependency and political strings often attached to Western aid packages.
The West’s focus on promoting governance reforms through the World Bank and IMF has often led to accusations of neo-colonialism. By imposing strict loan conditions on Global South countries, critics argue that these institutions have hampered local economic autonomy and development, exacerbating poverty and inequality. In contrast, China’s investments typically come with fewer strings attached, making them more appealing to countries that seek to maintain control over their economic policies.
Global South’s Shift from Western Hegemony
Global security concerns have also become a focal point of contention between the Global South and the West. Western security policies, particularly those led by the United States, have historically focused on military intervention, regime change, and counter-terrorism, often leading to instability in regions like the Middle East and Africa. For many in the Global South, these interventions have often worsened rather than improved security conditions, as seen in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya.
In contrast, the Global South emphasizes dialogue, multilateralism, and regional solutions to security challenges. Samuel Ayammah, a journalist from Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, noted at the forum:
“One particular issue that has always affected the Global South has to do with disunity. This [forum] is a knowledge-sharing platform… so at the end of the day, you arrive at a consensus, something that will go a long way to help develop the Global South.”
The focus on unity and consensus-building among Global South countries contrasts sharply with Western approaches, which often prioritize military solutions. China’s Global Security Initiative (GSI), launched in 2022, exemplifies this approach. It advocates for conflict resolution through diplomacy, dialogue, and development rather than military intervention . The GSI has garort from countries in Africa and Latin America, which have long been wary of Western military involvement in their regions.
Global South’s Quest for a Fairer World Order
The ongoing collaboration between Global South countries through initiatives like BRICS, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the Global South Think Tanks Forum signals a growing desire for a more balanced and multipolar world order. While Western countries continue to dominate institutions such as the World Bank, IMF, and the United Nations, the Global South is carving out new spaces for dialogue and cooperation, challenging the existing power structures.
BRICS Expansion and Global Influence
The BRICS grouping has already expanded its influence by inviting countries like Argentina, Iran, and Egypt to join its ranks, signaling its intention to become a major player in global governance. With BRICS nations accounting for over 40% of the world’s population and 25% of global GDP , the bloc’s potential to obal economic and political dynamics is immense. The 2024 BRICS Summit, set to focus on trade, climate change, and digital transformation, will likely further solidify the group’s role as a key counterweight to Western hegemony.
New global order
The divide between Global South countries and the Western powers has deepened in recent years, with the former seeking to build a new global order that emphasizes mutual respect, economic development, and multilateralism. Events like the Global South Think Tanks Forum and the upcoming BRICS Summit exemplify how Global South nations are actively challenging Western dominance in global governance. As these countries continue to grow in influence, they will undoubtedly reshape the international landscape, creating new opportunities for cooperation and development across the globe.
References
- Belt and Road Initiative – Global Participation. Belt and Road Portal, 2024.
- “China’s ‘Debt Trap’ Diplomacy is a Misleading Term, Argue Experts.” BBC News, 2024.
- “Global Security Initiative: China’s New Approach to Global Peace.” South China Morning Post, 2024.
- “BRICS Nations to Expand Global Influence with New Member Countries.” Al Jazeera, 2024.
