Reclaiming Agency in the Global South: Resource Paradox, Structural Challenges, and Self-Determined Development

President Nila
Sep 20
4 min read

Abstract

The Global South, home to approximately 85% of the world’s population and endowed with significant land, freshwater, and mineral resources, remains paradoxically underdeveloped. This paper examines the historical legacies of colonialism, contemporary neo-colonial structures, internal governance failures, and the evolving role of the United Nations post-2010. It critically evaluates China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its implications for Southern sovereignty. The article advocates for strategic self-determination, regional collaboration, and investment in human and technological capital as essential pathways for sustainable development and sovereignty. This research provides a holistic framework for understanding development challenges and opportunities in the Global South.

Keywords:

Global South; Self-Determination; Dependency Theory; Neo-Colonialism; United Nations; South–South Cooperation; China; Development Policy; Resource Paradox

1. Introduction

The term Global South transcends geography, encompassing nations in Africa, Latin America, Asia (excluding high-income economies), and Oceania. These countries share a common history of colonial exploitation, structural underdevelopment, and dependency on global powers (Dados & Connell, 2012).

Despite comprising ~85% of the global population and controlling ~55% of global land and freshwater resources, the Global South continues to face systemic poverty and inequality (World Bank, 2023; UNDP, 2020).

Dependency theory frames underdevelopment not as a transitional stage but as a structural consequence of unequal global relations, where the “core” exploits the “periphery” (Namkoong, 1999; Weeks, 2012). This paper extends that analysis by examining post-2010 UN development initiatives, China’s influence, and self-determined strategic pathways.

2. Historical and Structural Determinants of Underdevelopment

2.1 Colonial Exploitation

Colonial powers extracted natural and human resources, suppressed indigenous governance, and deliberately constrained industrial development, leaving lasting institutional weaknesses (Rodney, 1972).

2.2 Neo-Colonial Structures

Post-independence, conditional loans, multinational corporations, and global trade imbalances reinforced dependency, limiting industrial diversification and economic sovereignty (Furtado, 1976; Amin, 1976).

2.3 Internal Governance Challenges

Corruption, authoritarianism, shortsighted policymaking, and underinvestment in education and technology further impede development (Acemoglu & Robinson, 2012).

3. The United Nations and Post-2010 Policy Initiatives

Since 2010, the UN has emphasised policies tailored to the Global South:

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, 2015): Seventeen goals addressing poverty, education, gender equality, health, climate action, and sustainable economic growth (UN, 2015).

2. South–South Cooperation: Promotes knowledge exchange, technical assistance, and trade among Southern nations (UNOSSC, 2022).

3. Climate Action and Environmental Sustainability: Focus on renewable energy, adaptation to climate change, and disaster resilience.

4. Health and Pandemic Preparedness: WHO initiatives strengthen healthcare infrastructure, epidemic control, and public health capacity.

5. Inclusive Governance and Human Rights: Advocacy for anti-corruption measures, institutional reforms, and social equity.

While these initiatives are impactful, dependency risks persist if local strategic ownership is weak (Namkoong, 1999).

4. The Paradox of Resource Abundance

The Global South’s resource wealth contrasts sharply with persistent poverty:

Unequal Exchange: Cheap raw material exports versus expensive imports of manufactured goods (Amin, 1976).

Resource Curse: Abundant resources often correlate with political instability and conflict.

Brain Drain: Skilled professionals migrate to the Global North, weakening local human capital (Docquier & Rapoport, 2012).

Environmental Degradation: Unsustainable exploitation undermines long-term potential.

5. China and the Neo-Colonial Dilemma

China’s Belt and Road Initiative exemplifies the opportunities and risks of external partnerships:

Infrastructure Investment: Stimulates economic development but may create debt dependency (Murphy, 2022; Brautigam, 2020).

Strategic Influence: Expands geopolitical power, sometimes at the cost of Southern sovereignty (Gu, 2025; Atlantic Council, 2023).

Southern nations must critically evaluate such engagements to protect sovereignty and prevent neo-colonial exploitation.

6. Pathways to Self-Determined Development

To achieve sustainable development, the Global South must:

1. Invest in Human Capital: Education, healthcare, research, and technological skills.

2. Strengthen Regional Collaboration: Through BRICS, African Union, CELAC, ASEAN, and other networks.

3. Economic Diversification: Move beyond raw material exports toward industrial and technological development.

4. Reform Global Governance: Advocate for equitable representation in UN Security Council, IMF, and World Bank (Weiss, 2016).

5. Ethical Leadership and Accountability: Embed transparency, long-term planning, and citizen-focused governance.

7. Conclusion

The Global South’s development challenges are historical, structural, and self-inflicted. Colonial exploitation and neo-colonial mechanisms explain much, but internal governance failures and fragmented regional unity exacerbate the situation.

True transformation requires self-reflection, strategic collaboration, and investment in human and technological capital. External partnerships must be critically assessed to avoid repeating exploitative patterns. The Global South must reclaim agency and pursue self-determined development to realise its full potential.

“While we were blaming external powers, development remained elusive. Self-assessment and strategic agency are the keys to unlocking the future.”

References

Acemoglu, D. & Robinson, J. (2012) Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty. Crown Publishing.
Amin, S. (1976) Unequal Development: An Essay on the Social Formations of Peripheral Capitalism. Monthly Review Press.
Atlantic Council (2023) Why China Won’t Win the Global South. Atlantic Council Policy Report.
Brautigam, D. (2020) The Dragon’s Gift: The Real Story of China in Africa. Oxford University Press.
Dados, N. & Connell, R. (2012) ‘The Global South’, Contexts, 11(1), pp.12–13.
Docquier, F. & Rapoport, H. (2012) ‘Globalization, Brain Drain, and Development’, Journal of Economic Literature, 50(3), pp.681–730.
Furtado, C. (1976) The Myth of Economic Development. Pluto Press.
Gu, J. (2025) China and the Global South in a Contested World Order. Springer.
Heeks, R., et al. (2024) ‘China’s Digital Expansion in the Global South’, The Information Society, 40(2).
Murphy, D.C. (2022) China’s Rise in the Global South. Stanford University Press.
Namkoong, Y. (1999) ‘Dependency Theory: Concepts, Classifications, and Criticisms’, International Area Studies Review, 2(1), pp.121–150.
Rodney, W. (1972) How Europe Underdeveloped Africa. Bogle-L’Ouverture Publications.
UN (2015) Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. United Nations General Assembly.
UNDP (2020) Human Development Report 2020. New York: UNDP.
UNOSSC (2022) South-South Cooperation at the United Nations. New York: United Nations.
Weiss, T.G. (2016) What’s Wrong with the United Nations and How to Fix It. Polity Press.
World Bank (2023) World Development Indicators. Washington, DC: World Bank.

Author: Balananthini Balasubramaniam

Affiliation: AASGON

Location: United Kingdom

Date: 20 September 2025

(Disclaimer: Images are AI generated and are used for representational purposes only)

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