IPE Week 8 P2

Question 1

Who is the “Global South” and who is the “West”?

Answer 1

Global South (Africa, Latin America and Asia)

The West ( the European Union, the United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea

Question 2

NB note on Who is the “Global South” and “the West”

Answer 2

Countries’ positions are not stagnant—they can shift depending on issues. For example, African countries can vote differently on the same issue in the UN

Question 3

Origins of the term “Global South”

Answer 3

Stems from 20th-century anti-colonialism and movements like the 1955 Bandung Conference and the 1961 Non-Aligned Movement

Question 4

Value of the term “Global South”

1. Highlights…
2. Serves…
3. For some….

Answer 4

1. Highlights discontent with the status quo of Western domination and a push for a fairer global financial and political architecture reflecting existing global realities
2. Serves as a rallying point for discontent while capturing international economic conditions and historical inequalities
3. For some, it is less problematic than the ‘third world’ and less patronising than the ‘developing world’

Question 5

What did the Covid-19 & Ukraine crisis highlight?

Answer 5

The West’s Hypocrisy in selective morality

Question 6

Africa’s Dilemma

Answer 6

The continent is required to democratise and industrialise simultaneously, in a context of premature deindustrialisation, while also going green –something no other continent has done

Question 7

What does the Global South want?

2. 3.

Answer 7

1. Institutional Reform
2. Financial Reform
3. Political Reform

Question 8

Institutional Reform:

1. Fairer
2. UN Security Council
3. Other key
4. These institutions

Answer 8

1. Fairer and more just international system through more African representation & influence in global gov structured e.g. UN security council
2. The United Nations Security Council was established when most African nations were still under colonial rule & current power dynamics do not reflect the continent’s interests & contributions
3. Other key multilateral institutions and forums are similar –the African Union was admitted to the G20 recently.
4. These institutions will continue to lack legitimacy unless they expand to be more reflective of global rather than Western interests.

Question 9

Financial Reform:

1. Desire to
2. De-dollarisation &
3. Push for

Answer 9

1. A desire to reform the global financial architecture to ensure less dependency on Western financial Institutions, debt relief & sustainable financial support.
2. de-dollarisation and reform of Bretton Woods Institutions, such as the World Trade Organization and IMF
3. Push for new alternative financial structures, such as the New Development Bank, to reduce dependency on conditional Western financing.

Question 10

Political Reform:

1. Desire for
2. Politically,
3. New grouping compromises
4. Contradictions remain

Answer 10

1. A recalibration in international power relations, away from Western Dominance to a more multipolar world
2. Politically, the rise of the BRICS+ grouping offers an alternative vision for the future and acts as a counterweight to the global liberal order.
3. The new grouping comprises nearly 50% of the global population and GDP and the most global oil and gas reserves.
4. Contradictions remain, but collectively, they possess a level of economic and political leverage that can transform the multilateral system to reflect contemporary realities (cannot be ignore

Question 11

Significance of Global Governance to International Political Economy:

1. Ensures
2. By fostering
3. This collective

Answer 11

1. Ensures that global issues such as trade, financial stability, environmental protection, and human rights are managed collectively.
2. By fostering cooperation and establishing norms and standards, global governance helps to stabilize the global economy, promote sustainable development, and mitigate conflicts.
3. This collective approach is vital for managing the interconnectedness of global economies and addressing issues that no single nation can handle alone.

Question 12

Africa & Environmental and Climate Challenges:

1. Africa is
2. The continent is expected
3. Example:

Answer 12

1. Disproportionately affected by climate change despite contributing minimally to global emissions.
2. The continent is expected to industrialize and develop sustainably, which is challenging given the current global economic structures.
3. Example: African countries are required to adopt green technologies and practices, often without adequate financial or technical support, hindering their development.

Question 13

Africa & Impact of Global Crises:

2. Example:

Answer 13

1. Africa’s development is often hindered by external shocks, such as global financial crises, pandemics, and geopolitical conflicts, which exacerbate existing vulnerabilities.
2. Example: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted disparities in global governance, with African countries facing vaccine access issues and economic disruptions while receiving less global support compared to Western nations.