Global Power Imbalances, Unequal Resource Distribution, Global South
Is Structural Transformation Possible?
In context of current international affairs, the formation of power relations and inequalities of resource distribution comprise a narrative with geopolitical weight. The convergence of historical antecedents and economic complexities shapes a complex landscape characterized by developmental asymmetries in the Global South. In light of this context, an academic inquiry emerges: Can the proposition of structural transformation be considered feasible in context of global realities? The following discussion undertakes a examination of global dynamics, delving into systemic foundations of inequality and attempting to determine feasibility of transformative efforts that promote a sustainable, equitable global environment. Goal is to conceptualize a global paradigm that is distinguished by fairness and sustainability. von Salman Zafar
The Historical Context
According to Zhang et al. (2021), the enduring North-South split on a global scale has been significantly influenced by the legacies of colonialism, which have also set the historical context for disparities in global power dynamics and the allocation of resources. The process of colonization, characterized by exploitation and extraction, has had long-lasting detrimental effects on countries located in the Global South. European powers exerted control over expansive regions, implementing economic frameworks that exhibited preferential treatment towards the conquerors while extracting valuable resources from subjugated countries. The ongoing ramifications of this phenomenon have resulted in economic fragmentation, disruption of indigenous societies, erosion of local cultures and languages, and an increased dependence on the Global North. Consequently, a recurring pattern of economic inequality, discrimination and marginalization has been sustained.