Global South

A geopolitical and socioeconomic grouping of countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania characterized by lower economic development and often formerly colonized or non-industrialized status, contrasted with the wealthier “Global North.” The term frames these nations as having shared experiences of poverty, unequal trade relations, and the legacies of colonialism.

Claims that use this term

• Modern corporal punishment practices in the Global South are largely colonial imports
• Brazil translated UN child-rights commitments into law faster than any Global South region
• Poverty is inherent to developed capitalism, not a Global South condition
• Unequal North-South exchange has drained trillions from the Global South
• Derivatives markets can destabilize elected governments in the Global South
• Austerity was tested on the Global South before the developed world.