Self-reliance, only option for Global South

Global South

- BY N. A. DE S. AMARATUNGA

Countries of the Global South, mainly Africa, Asia and South America, have a history of subjugation, oppression, colonial occupation and plunder of their natural resources by the Global North comprising the Europe and the US. Discovery of gun powder and development of navigation enabled Europe to conquer the world.

China had developed these technologies hundred years before Europe, but their Confucian philosophy restrained them from resorting to colonialism and plunder in other countries (Joseph Needham, 1900-1955).

Christianity, born in the Roman province of Judea (present day Palestine and Israel) and adopted by Europe as its national religion, though a pacific religion, could not have a similar influence on the avaricious and acquisitive nature of Europeans. Today, Global North is rich and the Global South is poor due to the emergence and growth of greed, the base characteristic of human nature, among the Europeans and the US.

Since the end of colonialism, neo-liberalism has taken over, as the main tool of exploitation of the poor. Trade and aid are manipulated to keep the underdeveloped countries in a state of poverty and dependence. A three-pronged neocolonialism, comprising economic, military and cultural means, is in operation at present which would maintain the status quo, where the rich get richer at the expense of the poor, till eternity, unless the worm turns.

The worm has started to turn, and the North is taking counter measures to stop the process and maintain its dominance. They are trying their utmost to hamper the growth of BRICS and such other associations of the South, to maintain the overwhelming pervasive influence of the dollar and to undermine the developing unity among countries of the Global South, particularly between China and India. Brazil, India and China are being targeted with high tariffs. As