The Euro-American West should not underestimate the Global South

By Adams Bodomo, Professor of African Studies, University of Vienna

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) emerged after the Second World War as a response to the bipolar world order dominated by the United States and the Soviet Union. Comprising primarily newly independent nations from Africa, Asia, and Latin America as well as some Eastern European countries like Yugoslavia, it aimed to solidify independence, to promote global peace and security, and to pursue development. The movement’s first meeting was held in the Yugoslav capital, Belgrade, in 1961. Leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana and Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia were its Founding Fathers. The NAM served as an alternative platform to the polarised Cold War order and for non-alliance with either superpower. It played a crucial role in bridging the East-West divide by promoting dialogue.

The rise and decline of the Non-Aligned Movement

The NAM made notable contributions to international diplomacy and development in its heyday. One of its key achievements was in mediating conflicts and promoting peace. Member states played pivotal roles in resolving conflicts in Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, and West Asia. The NAM also served as a platform for collective action on issues of global importance, including decolonisation, disarmament and economic justice. But, despite its early success, the NAM faced numerous challenges that contributed to the decline in its influence over time. The end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union fundamentally altered the geopolitical landscape. With the demise of bipolarity, many member states realigned their foreign policy towards closer ties with either the United States or other emerging powers.

The Global South: rising influence and new multilateral dynamics

Today, the Global South represents a collective identity of nations that share historical experiences of colonisation, underdevelopment and marginalisation in the international order. It promotes the idea of South-South cooperation based on solidarity, mutual benefit and shared development goals. Central to this is the exchange of resources, knowledge and expertise among Global South countries. These countries are increasingly strengthening their ties, leveraging their comparative advantages to tackle shared challenges and pursue mutual interests. They do so through channels that include the BRICS+ grouping – comprising Argentina, Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates – and China’s Belt and Road Initiative. These foster new forms of multilateralism and economic integration that operate outside traditional Western-dominated frameworks. Countries like Brazil, China, India and South Africa have seen rapid economic growth, in the process lifting millions out of poverty and gaining significant geopolitical influence. They have become key players in global trade, investment and finance, challenging Western dominance. This signifies a major realignment of economic power from the Euro-American West towards the Global South. In diplomacy, the Global South is pushing for greater representation and voice in global governance structures. There are growing calls for reforming institutions like the United Nations Security Council to reflect better current geopolitical realities, with many Global South countries advocating for expanded roles and voting rights. Additionally, regional organisations such as the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are taking on more responsibility for things like peacekeeping and conflict resolution.

From NAM to Global South: shared goals, different eras

The NAM and the Global South are inextricably linked, with the latter being the ideological and symbolic successor to the former. The two groups can be compared regarding historical context, composition and membership, and broader objectives and focus areas. Historically, the NAM originated during the Cold War as a response to the bipolar world order dominated by the United States and the Soviet Union, whereas the Global South emerged in the post-colonial era as newly independent countries sought to assert their identity and interests on the global stage. Although there is an overlap of membership, the Global South is a broader term referring to countries primarily located in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania. It encompasses diverse nations with varying levels of economic development, political systems and cultural identities. There is an overlap in objectives too. The NAM aimed to assert independence, to promote global peace, to oppose imperialism and colonialism, and to advance the interests of developing countries on the world stage, with geopolitical and ideological issues as its primary focus areas. The Global South generally aims to address common developmental challenges, to promote economic growth and social justice, and to enhance cooperation among countries facing similar issues. It focuses on issues such as poverty eradication as a goal, sustainable development and human rights. In sum, while the NAM and the Global South share the goal of promoting the interests of developing countries and asserting their independence, they differ in their scope, focus and historical context.

Lessons for strategic thinking and policy formulation

The rise of the Global South has significant, multifaceted strategic implications for the global order. This is a disruptive and transformative period in global governance, characterised by a redistribution of power and influence, greater diversity in global leadership and the potential for more equitable and inclusive global governance. We live no longer in a unipolar or bipolar world but in a multipolar one with multiple players that have diverse interests and varying degrees of influence. It is high time to assess the past and to engage in dialogues based on equal partnerships, good faith, and co-management of our world’s multiple crises.

Challenging the status quo and shaping the new world order

From the NAM to the emergence of the assertive Global South, the global order has been challenged. The Global South significantly influences the changing dynamics of the global order. Through economic resurgence, South-South cooperation, diplomatic assertiveness and cultural influence, its countries are challenging traditional power structures and reshaping international relations. As we navigate this complex landscape, embracing the diversity and dynamism of the Global South will be essential for building a more just, prosperous and peaceful world order. Unless genuine, deep reforms of existing governance systems are undertaken and the voices of the Global South are heeded, parallel and competing governance will inevitably emerge, putting the world on a collision course. To avoid this, the Euro-American West must constructively engage the Global South in terms of strategic thinking and policy formulations, rather than creating a fortress for itself.