In geopolitics, the Global South is a general term that roughly designates the least advanced capitalist economies and economically enslaved countries, in contrast, the Global North are the most advanced capitalist economies[1], meaning the ones that benefit from imperialism.[2]
It's important to note that as this is a geopolitical term, some leeway must be accounted for. For example, China is generally considered by financial institutions to be part of the South, despite them soon achieving the highest GDP in the world. Israel is considered to be part of the Global North, due to their strategic value in the Middle East[3].
The term Third-World is a disambiguation; it reffered to underdeveloped capitalist countries which were not totally aligned with either bloc during the Cold War[4]. The term "developing countries" is partially misleading, as it ignores the fact that their development is impeded by already developed countries that either maintain them as client states or make them economically dependent on export/imports from the rich parts of the world.[2]
- ↑ IGI Global Publisher Dictionary, "What is Global North/South?"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 LENIN; Vladimir, Imperialism: The Highest Stage of Capitalism (Read on Marxists.org)
- ↑ Maps of the World, What is the division between the Global North and the Global South?
- ↑ World of Education; First. Second and Third World (In Portuguese)