NORTHSOUTH

The geopolitical divide

North/south dividewhat is it?

•A socio-economic and political division.

•Exists between the wealthy developed countries, known collectively as "the North" or "Global North," and• the poorer developing countries

(least developed countries), known as "the South" or "Global South."

‘THE NORTH’First and Second World

FACTS

•Although most nations comprising the "North" are in fact located in the Northern Hemisphere (with the notable exceptions of Australia and New Zealand).

•The divide is not wholly defined by geography.

The three worlds as they were separated during the Cold War era. (1945–1991)

Facts

•The North is home to four of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and all members of the G8.

•"The North" mostly covers the West and the First World, along with much of the Second World.

Facts

•As nations become economically developed, they may become part of the "North", regardless of geographical location.

•Any nations which do not qualify for "developed" status are in effect deemed to be part of the "South."

•The expression "north–south divide" is still in

common use, but the terms "North" and "South" are

already somewhat outdated.

Facts

World Map : Showing counties above and below the GDP (PPP) per capita

Currently $10,700

Blue : Above GDP (PPP) per capitaOrange: Below GDP (PPP) per capita

Percentage population living on less than $1.25 per day

NigerNigeria Chad

Central African Republic

Guinea

Liberia Tanzania

Mozambique

Zimbabwe

Madagascar

HISTORY: ORIGINS

•The idea of categorizing countries by their economic and developmental status began during the Cold War. (1945–1991)

•The First World [the west] and the Second World [the east] with the even less developed countries constituting the Third World.

Contemporary Understanding

•As some Second World countries joined the First World, and others joined the Third World, a new and simpler classification was needed.

• The First World became the “North” and the Third World became the “South”.

3 THEORIES EXPLAINING THE DIVIDE

1. Capitalism: The nature of capitalism leads those countries with an advantage (developed) to accumulate capital by taking capital from those less advantaged (un-developed/developing).

This leads to the unequal development that feeds the north–south divide.

THEORIES EXPLAINING THE DIVIDE

2. Globalization: The very structure and process of globalization perpetuates and reproduces unequal relationships and opportunities between the North and the South

It tends to "favor the privileged and further marginalize the already disadvantaged”.

THEORIES EXPLAINING THE DIVIDE

3. Immigration: Uneven immigration patterns lead to inequality.

People leave countries in the South in attempts to better their life standards and prosperity in

the North.

“South and Central Americans want to live and work in North America. Africans and Southwest Asians want to

live and work in Europe.”