The Evolving Role of the Global South in the Global Economy
Subject: GS:II : International Relations
Context: The role of the Global South in the global economy is changing, and for these countries to boost their growth, they need improved financial support, digital infrastructure, and climate financing, highlighting the need for reforms in the global financial system.
About the Global South:
The Global South refers to countries often described as ‘developing’, ‘less developed’, or ‘underdeveloped’. First coined by Carl Oglesby in 1969, the term gained prominence after the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991. Despite the geographical misnomer, as countries like China and India lie in the Northern Hemisphere, the term denotes shared political, geopolitical, and economic characteristics.
- Regional Spread: Predominantly in the Southern Hemisphere, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Characteristics of Global South Countries:
- High poverty levels and income inequality.
- Lower life expectancy and challenging living conditions.
Variations within the Global South:
- Population: Four out of the five most populous countries are in Asia, including China and India.
- Economic Growth: Asian economies, particularly in East Asia, have experienced rapid growth.
- Income Levels: Latin American countries, except Venezuela, are generally upper-middle or high-income, whereas many African nations are poorer, with seven having per capita incomes below $1,000.
- Conflict: Countries like Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sudan have faced prolonged civil conflicts.
About the Global North:
The Global North consists of wealthier nations primarily in North America and Europe, with some in Oceania. This includes the US, Canada, Europe, Russia, Australia, and New Zealand.
Cold War Metrics Classification:
- First World: Advanced capitalist nations (e.g., USA, UK, France, Germany).
- Second World: Socialist nations led by the Soviet Union (e.g., USSR, China, Cuba).
- Third World: Developing nations, often still under colonial influence (e.g., India, Indonesia).
World Systems Approach:
Introduced by sociologist Immanuel Wallerstein in 1974, this approach categorizes production zones into core, peripheral, and semi-peripheral:
- Core Zones: Advanced technologies (e.g., US, Japan).
- Peripheral Zones: Less sophisticated, labor-intensive production.
- Semi-Peripheral Zones: Countries like India and Brazil, which sometimes exploit and are sometimes exploited.
The Brandt Line:
Proposed by Willy Brandt in the 1980s, it is an imaginary line dividing richer Northern Hemisphere countries from poorer Southern Hemisphere countries, illustrating the socio-economic divide.
Recent Economic Forecasts about the Global South:
- Growth and Development: The World Bank/IMF forecasts show the Global South’s growth holding steady at around 3%, the lowest in decades.
- Regional Achievements: Middle- and low-income countries, especially in Asia, are expected to contribute nearly three-fourths of global growth in the next few decades.
- Reasons for Growth: Supportive geopolitics, demographics, globalization, and technological advances have driven high growth periods.
Impact of Recent Global Events on the Global South:
- Globalization and Social Safety Nets: Inadequate safety nets have affected social cohesion.
- Pandemic Impact: COVID-19 disrupted markets, trade, and supply chains.
- Geopolitical Concerns: The war in Ukraine and strategic competition threaten global cooperation and economic stability.
India’s Initiatives for the Global South:
- New Delhi Declaration: Collaborative efforts for a more prosperous and sustainable world.
- Non-Aligned Movement (NAM): Advocacy for Global South interests.
- South-South Cooperation: Bilateral agreements focusing on trade, technology transfer, and capacity-building.
- BRICS: Advocacy for a more equitable global order.
- Group of 77 (G77): Addressing economic and developmental challenges.
- Climate Change Negotiations: Advocating for “common but differentiated responsibilities.”
- World Trade Organization (WTO) and Trade Issues: Emphasis on addressing trade imbalances.
- Peacekeeping Operations: Significant contributions to UN missions.
- Voice of Global South Summit: Initiatives like the Global South Centre of Excellence and the Global South Science and Technology Initiative.
Significance of the Global South:
- Economic and Political Power Shift: By 2030, three of the four largest economies will be from the Global South. The combined GDP of BRICS nations already surpasses the G7.
- Geopolitical Impact: Increased participation in international institutions and organizations like IMF, WTO, and UN agencies.
Challenges Faced by the Global South:
- Vulnerability to Global Headwinds: Climate change, cost of living crises, unattainable Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), declining productivity, lack of liquidity financing, and broken debt structures.
- Financial Challenges: Shallow financial markets and an inadequate international financial system.
- Technological Disparities: The need for better digital public infrastructure.
- Resource Access: Significant gaps in resource access for development.
- Geopolitical Interference: Concerns over China’s Belt and Road Initiative and US hegemony.
Way Forward:
- Technological Advancements: Utilizing innovations like AI to drive growth and inclusion.
- Common Repository: Establishing a center for DPI architecture and data security.
- Climate Financing: Leveraging public and multilateral resources to focus on capital markets.
- Liquidity Provisions: Strengthening and reforming the IMF to address liquidity issues and support development.
The resurgence of the Global South reflects its evolving geopolitical role and growing influence in global affairs. India’s leadership in championing the interests of the Global South underscores this transition, advocating for a recalibrated global economic and political order.
Patna High Court Nullifies 65% Quota in Bihar
Subject: GS II: Polity and Governance
Context: The Patna High Court recently overturned amendments by the Bihar legislature that aimed to increase reservations for Backward Classes (BC), Extremely Backward Classes (EBC), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST) from 50% to 65% in educational institutions and government jobs.
Background:
Bihar Government’s Decision: Following a caste-based survey, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s government decided to increase reservations due to inadequate representation of these classes, but the reservation was not proportionate. Including a 10% quota for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), the total reservation was set to reach 75%, exceeding the Supreme Court’s 50% ceiling.
Public Interest Litigation: A PIL was filed challenging the state’s decision to increase reservations from 50% to 65%.
Caste-Based Census:
- Details: Bihar released its 2022 Caste Survey Report, providing demographic data on caste.
- Historical Context: Indian censuses since 1951 have included data on SCs and STs, but not on OBCs, who make up about 52% of the population.
- Demand for Data: There is a growing demand for detailed data on the OBC population to aid in policy-making and welfare delivery.
Patna High Court’s Opinion:
- Purpose of Reservation: Designed to dismantle dominance by certain groups and uplift backward classes.
- Merit Consideration: Social inequities must be addressed without disregarding merit.
- Amendments Violate Equality: The court found the amendments beyond constitutional powers, violating Articles 14, 15, and 16.
50% Ceiling: Established by the Supreme Court in 1992 to ensure administrative efficiency.
Precedents:
- First: Criteria for reservation should be “social and educational backwardness.”
- Second: Reaffirmed the 50% limit on vertical quotas.
- Exception Clause: The 50% limit can be exceeded only in “exceptional circumstances.”
- Political Attempts and Litigation: States frequently attempt to exceed the 50% limit, leading to judicial reviews and legal challenges. The 50% ceiling is currently contested before the Supreme Court, though laws exceeding this limit are typically struck down.
Supreme Court’s EWS Verdict (November 2022):
- EWS Quota: Upheld in a 3-2 decision, distinguishing it from SC/ST and OBC quotas, as a separate category outside the ‘backwardness’ framework.
- Majority Opinion: The ceiling is not inflexible, raising questions about the potential reopening of the Indra Sawhney verdict.
- Minority Opinion: Warned that breaching the 50% rule could lead to further violations and compartmentalization of reservations.
Arguments for and Against the 50% Ceiling:
- Equality Principle: Exceeding 50% contradicts equality.
- Reservations as Exceptions: Should ensure equality, not become the norm.
- Arbitrary Limit: The 50% ceiling is seen as arbitrary and restrictive.
- Reservations as Fundamental Rights: Viewed as integral to equality and part of the Constitution’s basic structure.
- Judicial Perspective: The 2022 ruling emphasized that reservations support merit distribution.
Reservation in Other States:
- Tamil Nadu: Exceeded the 50% limit, protected by the Ninth Schedule.
- Maharashtra: The SC struck down a law exceeding 50% for the Maratha community.
Formal vs. Substantive Equality:
- Formal Equality: Equal treatment under the law, without regard to individual circumstances.
- Substantive Equality: Addresses actual conditions and opportunities, aiming for equitable outcomes by considering varying needs and disadvantages.
The Supreme Court will revisit the Indra Sawhney case, focusing on substantive equality. This reassessment could lead to significant changes in reservation policies, incorporating insights from over three decades of legal decisions since the Mandal Commission report.
International Yoga Day
Subject: GS I: Art & Culture
Context: The Indian Prime Minister is overseeing the 10th annual International Yoga Day festivities in Srinagar on June 21.
About International Yoga Day:
- Definition: As per the United Nations, the term ‘yoga’ comes from Sanskrit and signifies joining or uniting, reflecting the union of body and consciousness.
- Global Observation: June 21 is celebrated globally as International Yoga Day.
- 2024 Theme: “Yoga for Self and Society.”
- Historical Background:
- UN Declaration: On December 11, 2014, the UN General Assembly declared June 21 as International Day of Yoga.
- Inaugural Celebrations: The first event was held in 2015 at Rajpath, New Delhi, achieving two Guinness World Records for the largest yoga class (35,985 participants) and the highest number of participating nationalities (84).
- Importance:
- Promotes global awareness of yoga’s benefits for physical and mental health.
- Encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds to explore yoga’s transformative potential.
Understanding Yoga:
- Origins: An ancient practice encompassing physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines, originating in India.
- Philosophical Foundations: Rooted in the Six Doctrines of Salvation in Hinduism, with Yoga paired with Sankhya. Other pairs include Nyaya and Vaishesika, and Mimosa and Vedanta.
- Philosophy of Yoga: Encompasses various religious practices and self-discipline, with practitioners known as Yogis. Early yogic schools focused on psychic training for salvation, inspired by Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
- Evolution in the Medieval Period: Tantric schools adopted and advanced yoga techniques, enhancing their complexity and exclusivity.
Role and Benefits:
- Path to Self-Realization: Yoga is a journey to discover oneness with oneself, the world, and nature.
- Support from WHO: The World Health Organization (WHO) encourages yoga practice, including it in its Global Action Plan for physical activity 2018-30.
- Health and Well-being: Yoga is widely practiced globally, enhancing physical fitness, reducing stress and anxiety, improving well-being, and enhancing sleep quality. It fosters a balanced approach to daily life and skillful action.
India’s Initiatives for Promoting Yoga:
- M-Yoga App
- Dedicated Website for International Day of Yoga (IDY)
- Vocational Education Courses in Yoga
- Fit India Movement
- Common Yoga Protocol
Details on Common Yoga Protocol:
The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) lists key yoga practices in its ‘Common Yoga Protocol,’ including Yama, Niyama, Āsana, Prāṇāyāma, Pratyāhāra, Dhāraṇā, Dhyāna, Samādhi, Bandhās and Mudrās, Ṣaṭkarmas, Yuktāhāra, Mantra-japa, Yukta-karma.
Symbolism of the Logo:
- Joined Hands: Represents the union of individual consciousness with universal consciousness, symbolizing harmony between mind and body, man and nature, and a holistic health approach.
- Other Elements: Brown leaves represent the earth element, green leaves symbolize nature, blue signifies the fire element, and the sun represents energy and inspiration.
Earthquake 2,500 Years Ago Potentially Altered Ganga’s Course
Subject: GS I: Geography
Context: A study published in Nature Communications suggests that an earthquake around 2,500 years ago may have caused the Ganga river to drastically change its course.
Key Findings:
- Course Alteration: This research marks the “first confirmed instance” of an earthquake driving an avulsion in a major river delta.
- Avulsions: These are sudden changes in the course of a river.
- Satellite Evidence: Satellite images revealed the Ganga’s former main channel about 100 kilometers south of Dhaka, Bangladesh, in a low-lying area 1.5 kilometers wide, stretching intermittently for 100 kilometers parallel to the current river course.
Seismites:
- Definition: Seismites refer to deformed sediments caused by earthquakes.
- Discovery: Researchers identified seismites in the region in 2018, confirming the earthquake’s role in altering the river’s path.
- Possible Sources of the Earthquake:
- Subduction Zone: To the south and east, where oceanic crust is pushing under Bangladesh, Myanmar, and northeastern India.
- Himalayan Faults: To the north, where the Indian subcontinent is colliding with Asia, causing the Himalayas to rise.
- Potential for Another Event: A 2016 study indicated a similar magnitude earthquake could strike again, potentially affecting 140 million people.
Understanding Earthquakes:
- Definition: Earthquakes are natural events where energy release causes shaking.
- Mechanism: Energy is released along a fault, a sharp break in the crustal rocks, where opposing movements occur.
- Energy Release: When friction holding rocks together is overcome, they move abruptly, releasing energy that travels as waves.
- Key Terms:
- Focus/Hypocentre: The origin point of the earthquake within the earth.
- Epicentre: The point on the earth’s surface directly above the focus, first to feel the waves.
- Impact of Large Earthquakes: Economic, Social, and Political Effects: Earthquakes can cause widespread and long-lasting impacts.
- Immediate Consequences:
- Flooding: Abrupt river course changes can lead to flooding, causing extensive damage and loss of life.
- Emergency Response: A significant need for resources and coordination for disaster relief.
Economic Impact:
- Agriculture: Disruption in irrigation could lead to crop failures and loss of livelihood.
- Infrastructure Damage: Existing infrastructure may become obsolete or require modifications due to flooding.
Environmental Impact:
- Ecosystem Disruption: Changes in the river course can destroy habitats and threaten species.
- Water Quality: Potential for pollutants to enter the new river course.
Social Impact:
- Displacement: Sudden changes could displace large populations.
- Health: Altered water availability and quality could impact public health, especially in regions with scarce clean water.
Geopolitical Impact:
- Interstate Relations: Changes in the Ganga’s course could lead to conflicts over water rights among the states it flows through.