Third-Worldism: The growing importance of the Global South

Image Credit: Chinese Posters

“Vigorously support the anti-imperialist struggle of the peoples of Asia, Africa, and Latin America”

"Under its current form, that is imperialism-controlled, debt is a cleverly managed re-conquest of Africa, aiming at subjugating its growth and development through foreign rules. Thus, each one of us becomes the financial slave, which is to say a true slave." - Thomas Sankara

Third-Worldism is a concept that emerged in the 1940’s and 1950’s during the Cold War, which saw the birth of many independent nations in Asia and Africa. It was a non-aligned policy that was not allied with the Capitalist bloc led by the United States and the Communist bloc led by the Soviet Union. This would see many important developments like the Bandung Conference in 1955 and the Nonaligned movement in 1961 as a means to advance the interests of Third World countries. However, challenges persisted like intervention in the affairs of newly independent states, as this period coincided with the Cold War Era (1947-1991). After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, it was thought that the West has won and that the Third World would follow the West. However, things have taken a turn since 2000 with the rise of Putin in Russia, who exerted Russia’s influence abroad. Also, there have been many organizations that tried to speak for the Third World, like the Shanghai Economic Cooperation Organization, and the BRICS as they are seen as an alternative for promoting peace and development. Hence, according to Samuel P. Huntington, Third-World nations in the Global South went from being colonies of the West to deciding the future along with the West.

Origins: Opportunities, and challenges

Third-Worldism emerged in the aftermath of World War II in 1945, marking a significant development that greatly weakened the colonial powers of Western Europe, including France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, and to some extent Portugal. These nations suffered substantial losses in terms of lives, resources, and manpower during the war, which was fought to counter the axis powers of Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan, and Fascist Italy. However, it is generally believed that decolonization primarily affected the continents of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The first notable instance occurred in 1948 when Yugoslavia, under the leadership of Josip Broz Tito, sought independence from the Soviet Union. During World War II, Tito's Yugoslav Partisans maintained cordial relations with the Soviet Union while fighting against Fascism. Nevertheless, after successfully overcoming the mighty threat of Hitler, Tito found himself confronted by Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. Tito desired an independent foreign policy that would free Yugoslavia from influences originating from both the East and the West, which angered Stalin. Nonetheless, Tito stood firm, just as he had fought against the Germans and Italians in World War II. Under Tito's leadership, Yugoslavia established relations with many newly independent countries in Asia and Africa, including Jawaharlal Nehru's India, Gamal Abdel Nasser's Egypt, and others. Also, 1945 would see the birth of the Arab League which saw the first 6 members Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria as a means to foster collaboration between Arab countries.

The first wave of independence commenced with India (1947), Pakistan (1947), Burma (1948), Vietnam (1945, partitioned in 1954), and Indonesia (1949) gaining independence through peaceful rebellions or armed uprisings, as was the case with Vietnam and Indonesia. This significantly weakened Western European colonial powers such as Britain and France. However, they were subsequently replaced by two new superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union, which engaged in an ideological Cold War. The newly established nations became of great interest to these superpowers as a means to extend their influence.

During the 1950s, additional states in Asia and Africa achieved independence, including Egypt, Guinea, Ghana, Togo, Tunisia, Libya, Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, the Congo, and Malaysia. This led to the organization of the Bandung Conference in 1955, which was hosted by Indonesia and attended by Burma (Myanmar), Ceylon (Sri Lanka), India, and Pakistan. The summit emphasized Afro-Asian unity and aimed to combat colonialism and neocolonialism. Importantly, the conference gave rise to the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on September 1, 1961, through the joint initiative of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Marshal Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia, President Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, President Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, and President Sukarno of Indonesia.

However, the ideals of Third-Worldism faced significant challenges that hindered their potential to generate substantial global outcomes. One of these challenges arose from the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. Under the leadership of Joseph Stalin, the Soviet Union initially restricted its engagement with the newly independent countries in Asia and Africa, perceiving the leaders of independence movements as puppets of Western imperialism and monopoly capitalism. However, following Stalin's death in 1953, the rise of Nikita Khrushchev marked a shift in the Soviet Union's approach, with increased support for the independence movements in Asia and Africa as a means to diminish Western influence. In contrast, the United States aligned itself with colonial powers such as Britain and France to counter the spread of Communism, even in relation to the newly established nations. The US and its allies frequently interfered in the internal affairs of these nascent Asian and African countries under the pretext of containing Communism.

For instance, after the Congo gained independence on June 30, 1960, under the leadership of independence advocate Patrice Lumumba and his Mouvement National Congolais (MNC), Lumumba advocated for Pan-Africanism to unite the rest of Africa. However, the West perceived his pan-Africanist and socialist values as a threat to their interests in the Congo. Consequently, Western powers supported anti-Lumumba politicians, such as President Joseph Kasavubu, Colonel Mobutu Sese Seko, and Moise Tshombe, the independence leader of Katanga. This ultimately led to Lumumba's execution on January 14, 1961, with the involvement of the United States and Belgium. In the case of Iran, the United States and the United Kingdom were concerned about the democratically elected government of Mohammed Mossaddegh, who aimed to nationalize Iran's oil industry—a crucial resource. Consequently, on August 15, 1953, the US and UK orchestrated a coup against Mossaddegh, resulting in his overthrow on August 19 of the same year and the establishment of a pro-US dictatorship under Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi. Likewise, in Indonesia, the West regarded Sukarno's socialist policies, which included nationalizing the country's industries, fostering relations with the Soviet Union and China, and promoting pan-Asian ideals, with a similar strategy employed as seen in the Congo. The West supported officials opposing Sukarno, including General Suharto, who received backing from the US to establish a pro-Western and anti-Communist regime in Indonesia.

Another major challenge was the division within the Third World regarding different foreign policy ideals. For instance, on October 20, 1962, the Sino-Indian war erupted, leaving a lasting impact on Indian foreign policy, which subsequently started viewing China as an enemy. Furthermore, while both India and China supported decolonization, they adopted different approaches. India advocated for non-violent decolonization movements, whereas communist China, under Mao Zedong, called for armed struggle by the colonized peoples against their oppressors and rejected any affiliation with Western organizations. Another significant division that undermined the concept of Third-Worldism was the Arab-Cold War, which caused divisions in the Middle East. On one side, there were pro-Western monarchies such as Saudi Arabia and Morocco, while on the other side stood secular and Pan-Arabist republics led by Gamal Abdel Nasser in Egypt, Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, Hafez al-Assad in Syria, and Houari Boumédiène in Algeria, who received support from the Soviet Union.

Thirdly, the ideology of Third-Worldism faltered due to its heavy emphasis on socialism, which had devastating consequences for the economy. According to Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father and former prime minister of Singapore, many Third World leaders, such as Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, placed significant emphasis on socialist economic policies, resulting in economic challenges. Lee Kuan Yew believed that the primary challenge for many Third-World anti-colonial leaders was to establish a new post-colonial order that necessitated better economic policies. In addition, Lee Kuan Yew highlighted other Third-World leaders like Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya, whose economic policies brought prosperity to many Kenyans but failed to address corruption adequately. He believed that successful governance required good economic policies benefiting all segments of the population, along with the implementation of stringent anti-corruption measures ensuring transparency and integrity within the government.

Despite these challenges, many countries in the Third World gained independence and fought against imperialism. For example, the Algerian independence movement FLN (National Liberation Front) from 1954 to 1962 witnessed a bloody struggle for Algerian independence. Nevertheless, growing condemnation of French actions in Algeria at home and abroad led to the signing of the Evian Accords between France and Algeria in 1962. The accord declared that Algeria had the right to independence, as confirmed by Charles De Gaulle. Another significant event that led to the decolonization of five countries was the Portuguese Colonial War (4th February 1961 – 25th April 1974). The war saw Portugal attempting to maintain control over its African colonies of Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, and Sao Tome and Principe. However, the militias in the colonized countries of Portuguese Africa, such as FRELIMO (Liberation Front of Mozambique), MPLA (People’s Movement for the Liberation of Africa), and PAIGC (African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde), grew stronger due to an international arms embargo on the Portuguese government, including support from the Eastern bloc nations and the Soviet Union. Additionally, starting from 1973, the war became increasingly unpopular in mainland Portugal due to its financial costs. This eventually led to the Carnation Revolution in Portugal on 25th April 1974, which overthrew the Estado Novo regime and marked the beginning of democratization. Subsequently, Guinea-Bissau gained independence on 24th September 1974, followed by Mozambique on 25th June 1975, Angola on 11th November 1975, Cape Verde on 5th July 1975, and Sao Tome and Principe on 12th July 1975. The Vietnam War (1955-1975) resulted in the victory of North Vietnamese forces against the US-backed South Vietnam, with support from allies such as the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China. In 1975, the North Vietnamese launched a counteroffensive that led to the capture of South Vietnam on 30th April, freeing Vietnam from Western imperialism and unifying the country. On January 7th, 1978, the Iranian Revolution commenced due to various factors, including the injustices caused by the rule of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi and the growing popularity of Ayatollah Khomeini, who advocated for the need to uphold Islamic values in Iran. After a year-long struggle, the Shah was overthrown on February 11th, 1979, leading to the establishment of a theocratic Islamic Republic under the leadership of Ayatollah Khomeini. This marked Iran's determination to become non-aligned by rejecting both American and Soviet influence, which were seen as decadent and conflicting with Islamic values.

Most importantly, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) was established in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 1963, with 32 African governments as signatories. This organization was initiated by Kwame Nkrumah, the president and independence leader of Ghana, aiming to promote collaboration among African nations, counter neocolonialism, and uphold the sovereignty and integrity of fellow African states. Furthermore, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was formed on August 8, 1967, through the signing of the ASEAN Declaration by the foreign ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. The formation of ASEAN aimed to foster peace and collaboration among Southeast Asian states, particularly in the face of political tensions in the region during the 1960s. It also sought to enhance economic cooperation among member states and maintain friendly relations with all global powers, adhering to the principle of non-alignment.

Meanwhile, the Non-Aligned Movement also hosted numerous summits that emphasized Third World sovereignty and solidarity among its members. However, the movement encountered challenges due to divisions among member states regarding certain foreign policy agendas. For instance, Yugoslavia, one of the founding fathers of the Non-Aligned Movement, decided to include France as a member. This decision was influenced by France's withdrawal from NATO in 1966, under the leadership of Charles De Gaulle, who aimed to strengthen ties with other European nations like West Germany and reject US imperialism in Vietnam, thus promoting Pan-Europeanism. Tito's proposal to bring France into the Non-Aligned Movement faced opposition from African countries that had gained independence from France. Furthermore, conflicts arose within the Non-Aligned Movement between Yugoslavia and pro-Soviet countries such as Cuba and Vietnam, concerning specific foreign policy agendas. The organization struggled to resolve disputes between India and Pakistan, Cambodia and Vietnam, and Iran and Iraq. The division within the Non-Aligned Movement reached a turning point with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979. This invasion led many Muslim member nations, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Iran, to strongly support the Afghan Mujahideen due to a shared Islamic identity. In contrast, Cuba's support for the invasion caused it to be alienated by numerous Muslim nations, particularly those within the non-aligned movement.

However, the rise of Mikhail Gorbachev in the Soviet Union brought about a change in approach. Gorbachev advocated for reconciliation among warring factions in the Third World, urging them to reconcile with their enemies. This stance caused disagreements between the Soviet Union and many of its pro-Soviet allies, who held deep animosity towards the West. For instance, Gorbachev's idealism drew criticism from traditional Soviet allies such as Muammar Gaddafi of Libya and Hafez al-Assad of Syria. Additionally, the Soviet Union initiated trade with Apartheid South Africa. This shift in stance towards the West was seen by the Communist regime of Cuba, which emphasized support for the Third World against Western imperialism, as a betrayal of socialism and anti-imperialism. Despite facing opposition, Gorbachev had allies in the Third World. One notable ally was Rajiv Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India, who regarded Gorbachev as a "crusader for peace" and awarded him the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development. Gorbachev's regime also managed to reconcile with the anti-communist theocracy of Iran under Ayatollah Khomeini. The reconciliation was facilitated by Khomeini's correspondence with Gorbachev, eventually leading to the signing of a military pact between Iran and the Soviet Union. The collapse of the Warsaw Pact nations in the late 1980s and the subsequent dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 had significant consequences for the Third World. These events resulted in the loss of a valuable ally for Third-World leaders, as the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies had supported factions fighting against Western imperialism. Moreover, the collapse of the Soviet Union led to the United States emerging as the sole superpower, ushering in a unipolar world. Consequently, traditional ideologies like Pan-Asianism, Pan-Arabism, and Pan-Africanism, which had thrived during the Cold War era, experienced a decline as they found less relevance in a world dominated by Western values of democracy and a free-market economy.

Stalemate and potential rise

It was believed that Third-Worldism has waned and that the world will ultimately adhere to Western values of democracy and free-market economies. However, in the contemporary era, the Global South has played a significant role in voicing their perspectives on important global issues, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, Climate Change, and inclusive development, among others. While the ideals of Pan-Asianism, Pan-Africanism, and Pan-Arabism may have faded, Third-Worldism in today's world strives for balance and inclusivity, seeking diverse perspectives to address challenges in the Third World through international collaboration and fostering equitable relationships between major world powers. The first step towards fostering South-South collaboration was the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on June 15th, 2001. This came after a series of meetings in the late 1990s between China, Russia, and Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. These discussions highlighted the need for a multipolar world order that could facilitate mutually beneficial economic development and international collaboration. The SCO expanded in the 2010s and 2020s with the inclusion of India and Pakistan on June 9th, 2017, and Iran on July 4th, 2023. Furthermore, Belarus is scheduled to become the 9th member of the SCO in 2024.

In Africa, the leader of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi, proposed the Sirte Declaration, which led to the establishment of the African Union on September 9th, 1999. The organization aimed to address key issues in Africa, including hunger, poverty, economic development, climate change, and armed conflicts. The African Union utilized international collaboration as a method to tackle domestic problems, forging relationships with countries such as China, the European Union, the United States, Japan, India, and Turkey to promote South-South collaboration. Simultaneously, it sought to build relationships with Western countries like the European Union and the United States to access financial assistance from diverse sources around the world. In Africa, other intergovernmental organizations, such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), among others, fostered South-South collaboration among communities of African countries, aiming to address challenges affecting African nations.

The most significant intergovernmental organization that emerged in the 2000s is BRICS, initially composed of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. Coined by economist Jim O'Neill, the term BRIC represented the convergence of the world's largest economies. South Africa joined the organization in 2010, becoming its fifth member. However, major countries in the Global South, including India and Brazil, have actively promoted South-South cooperation through various initiatives. During Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's presidency (2003-2010), Brazil played a pivotal role in fostering South-South cooperation, particularly between Africa and Brazil. Lula cultivated strong trade relations with numerous African countries, notably Angola and Mozambique among the Lusophone nations. Additionally, he sought to enhance relations with various Latin American countries, contributing to the resolution of conflicts between partners in the region. For instance, Brazil, under Lula's leadership, played a role in resolving internal conflicts between Venezuela and Colombia. Lula's foreign policy approach aimed to balance relations with different countries, making him a partner to both Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and U.S. President George W. Bush, despite their strained relationship. However, Brazil's prominence as a Third World leader waned in the 2010s following the rise of Jair Bolsonaro in 2019. During Bolsonaro's presidency, Brazil adopted an isolationist stance, giving less priority to regions such as Africa and the Middle East. Instead, Bolsonaro pursued a policy reminiscent of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Furthermore, Bolsonaro fostered relations with countries facing international isolation, including conservative governments in Hungary and Poland. These shifts indicated a departure from an open-minded foreign policy approach towards one driven by anti-globalization ideology and isolationism.

In the 2000s, India began prioritizing the cultivation of relations with Southeast Asia under its Look East policy, aiming to counter the increasing Chinese influence in the region. However, in 2014, India shifted its approach to an Act-East policy, translating words into action. India sought to foster relationships with numerous Arab countries while simultaneously maintaining ties with countries that were viewed as unfriendly by those Arab nations, such as Iran and, to some extent, Israel. The aftermath of the 1962 Sino-Indian war led India to adopt a foreign policy centered around multi-alignment. India has managed to maintain positive relations with both the United States and Russia, both of whom are considered significant allies. Presently, India's participation in US-led organizations like the QUAD serves the purpose of containing China, while simultaneously being a member of Russian and Chinese organizations like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS, promoting international collaboration through soft-power initiatives that prioritize economic development. Despite this balance in foreign policy, it needs to be stated here that there is currently criticism in some quarters in India that India not joining the Belt and Road initiative and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) led by China is a retrogressive step and by joining the military alliance represented by QUAD, India has for the first time in its independence history shifted from its non-alignment position of the past. Despite pursuing a multi-alignment foreign policy, India continues to be a prominent voice for the Global South on various fronts. One significant example is India's advocacy for the global South regarding the issue of climate change, as the South is disproportionately affected despite its relatively low contribution to the problem. India has consistently urged wealthy nations in the global North to fulfil their commitments towards the global South by providing financial assistance to aid in the South's efforts to combat climate change.

In the contemporary era, the Global South has a potential to rise due to the five horsemen of opportunities that provide possibilities for the South to have a voice in global affairs that benefits them. These five points are elaborated below.

i) China’s rise as a superpower

China's ascent as a global superpower and its increasing influence on the world stage offer new possibilities for the Global South. China's economic growth and its engagement with other Southern nations create avenues for collaboration and mutual benefit.

China, led by President Xi Jinping, seeks to establish itself as the leader of 21st-century globalization, aiming to benefit all parties involved. In contrast to the United States, which often resorts to warmongering and evaluates countries solely based on human rights, China has effectively employed soft power and economic development to foster alliances. One noteworthy endeavour in this regard is the Belt and Road initiative, which aims to promote international cooperation for economic development and the improvement of livelihoods. By January 2023, 151 countries across the Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe, and Latin America had joined this initiative, acknowledging its potential to encourage inclusive development and provide an alternative to the US, whose partnerships are frequently self-serving.

In the Middle East, China has capitalized on the US withdrawal by exerting its influence through soft-power initiatives. A notable example is China's facilitation of recent reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia, two rival powers vying for influence in the region. This achievement represents a significant milestone for peace in the Middle East and highlights China's capacity to offer mutually beneficial solutions to its allies, Saudi Arabia and Iran.

China has also played a significant role in cultivating relationships with Latin American governments, emphasizing South-South cooperation. Notably, countries like Nicaragua and Honduras have sought to develop ties with China to foster their respective economic growth. Argentina enjoys a particularly valuable relationship with China, as the latter serves as a significant market for Argentine products such as soybeans and beef. Furthermore, China has supported Argentina's claims regarding the Falkland Islands. In terms of conflict resolution, China has advocated for negotiations to address the Venezuelan presidential crisis involving President Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido, while simultaneously rejecting US interference in Venezuela's internal affairs.

ii) The Russia-Ukraine war

While Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to geopolitical tensions, it has also drawn attention to the importance of regional stability. This situation presents an opportunity for the Global South to play a role in resolving conflicts and promoting peace.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022, was widely condemned by the West as a violation of Ukraine's sovereignty. Consequently, the West imposed sanctions on Russia to hinder its war efforts and provided weapons to Ukraine. In contrast, many countries in the Global South recognized the invasion as a violation of Ukraine's statehood but refrained from imposing sanctions on Russia. This was because Russia is an important partner for many nations in the Global South. The Global South played a significant role in calling for an end to the war and initiating negotiations between Ukraine and Russia to alleviate the severe economic impact of the conflict on their own countries. For instance, Africa and the Middle East heavily rely on imports of wheat and other grains, a large portion of which comes from Russia and Ukraine. The war in Ukraine led to rising prices of essential foodstuffs like wheat, exacerbating food insecurity in many African and Middle Eastern countries. However, thanks to the initiative of Turkey and the United Nations, an agreement was reached between Ukraine and Russia to allow grain shipments from the Black Sea to developing countries in Africa and the Middle East, ensuring a supply of food to these regions that depend on grain exports from Ukraine and Russia.

Moreover, Russia's invasion of Ukraine presented an opportunity for the Global South, as Russia became increasingly isolated in Europe and America. The continents of Asia, Africa, and Latin America became new opportunities for Russia to find allies. Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed the formation of a new G8 consisting of member states such as India, Mexico, Brazil, Iran, Turkey, South Africa, China, and Indonesia. These nations, while expressing concerns about Russia's war in Ukraine as a violation of Ukraine's statehood, refused to impose sanctions on Russia. Russia's historical friendship and significant Soviet support in the past influenced the neutral stance of countries like Egypt, Angola, Mozambique, and South Africa in Africa. In Asia, countries like India and China abstained from imposing sanctions due to their substantial trade relations with Russia, as well as the arms and oil provided by Russia, which are vital for India and China. Additionally, India appreciates the Soviet support it received during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, where Western powers, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, supported Pakistan, India's arch-enemy.

Furthermore, Russia has adopted a new foreign policy strategy known as "The Concept of the Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation" in 2023, approved by President Vladimir Putin. This strategy aims to foster relations with the Global South, including the Islamic world, Latin America, Asia, and Africa, as a means to reduce dependence on the West, particularly the United States, which Russia perceives as supporting Ukraine to safeguard its own interests in the region. This present scenario has also created an impetus for creating parallel currency systems to counter the hegemony of the dollar. At the same time, we need to categorically state here that the shift towards war in Ukraine in the 21st century is indeed a tragedy of humongous proportions. As an advocate of pacifism in the esteemed traditions of Albert Einstein, Bertrand Russel, Charlie Chaplin, and many others, this author while condemning the invasion and supporting all genuine initiatives for peace documents the possibilities that has opened out of this crisis with a sobering note.

iii) The potential of the Global South to solve environmental problems

The Global South holds significant potential in addressing pressing environmental challenges. With its rich biodiversity, renewable energy resources, and innovative approaches to sustainability, the South can lead in tackling global environmental issues.

One of the key areas where the Global South has the potential to make a significant impact is in the protection of the environment. Regarding climate change, many countries in Africa, the Asia-Pacific region, and Latin America are urging developed countries to provide financial assistance in combating climate change, which disproportionately affects the Global South despite its minimal contributions. India, in particular, has been at the forefront of fostering South-South collaboration to address environmental issues. For instance, India partnered with Cambodia to reintroduce tigers in Cambodian forests, where they had been extinct since 2007. In April 2023, India launched the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA), aimed at facilitating collaboration among countries to protect seven big cat species, namely tigers, lions, cheetahs, leopards, pumas, jaguars, and snow leopards. The objective is to eliminate poaching of these important species found in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Additionally, India established the International Biofuel Alliance with Brazil and the United States in 2023 to promote environmentally-friendly fuels like ethanol.

Brazil has also played a significant role in enhancing environmental protection and fostering international collaboration among Global South countries. During President Lula's tenure from 2003 to 2010, Brazil witnessed a significant reduction in deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. Under Lula's leadership, Brazil established an international alliance to combat tropical deforestation, with countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Cameroon, Costa Rica, the Congo, and Gabon as members. However, under President Jair Bolsonaro's administration, Brazil shifted from being an environmental protector to an environmental offender, with a sharp increase in deforestation rates in the Amazon and a refusal to engage in international cooperation to address climate change. However, this changed with the victory of Lula in the Brazilian presidential election on October 31, 2022. During the COP27 conference in November of the same year, Brazil, under President-elect Lula, formed a triple alliance with Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to combat rainforest deforestation. In 2023, under Lula's leadership, Brazil restored the Amazon Fund, with countries like the European Union, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States providing donations to support Brazil's efforts in protecting the Amazon.

iv) The victory and ascendency of Lula to power in Brazil, which ended Brazil’s isolationism

The election and subsequent rise of Lula to power in Brazil marked a departure from the country's previous isolationist stance. Lula's leadership brings Brazil back into the global arena, opening avenues for cooperation and engagement with other countries, particularly in the Global South.

October 2022 marked a significant event that brought tears of joy to Brazil as former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emerged victorious over the incumbent Jair Bolsonaro. When Lula assumed the presidency on January 1, 2023, his agenda centered around the idea of "Brazil is back," akin to the phrase used by US President Joe Biden, "America is back." However, unlike Biden's policy of dividing the world into "good democracies" versus "bad autocracies," Lula aimed to promote multilateralism by fostering positive relations with all countries. Rather than taking sides, Lula sought to mediate and resolve disputes. His presidency also reinstated Brazil's active involvement in major international organizations like the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

Since Lula came to power in 2023, Brazil has sought to establish amicable ties with both China and the United States, striving for a balanced relationship with these two nations. Furthermore, Lula's ascent to the presidency in 2023 improved Brazil's relations with various left-wing Latin American governments, which Bolsonaro had previously disregarded and avoided engaging with.

v) The growing popularity of BRICS in the developing world

The BRICS alliance, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has gained increasing popularity among other countries in the Global South. This coalition provides a platform for cooperation, collective bargaining, and a unified voice in global affairs.

In recent times, BRICS has been gaining popularity in the developing world as an alternative to the confrontational approach of the United States. Several countries have chosen to move away from the US dollar and instead engage in trade using currencies such as the rupee and yuan to enhance their economies. For example, Iran considers BRICS a viable trading partner to mitigate the adverse effects of US sanctions, which hinder the use of the dollar for trade. Iran has turned to BRICS and engaged in trading with the yuan and rupee to address its economic needs. Similarly, Argentina has sought to replace the dollar with the Chinese yuan for trade as a solution to its economic challenges. Many countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Indonesia, Algeria, Bahrain, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Thailand, Senegal, Nicaragua, and Ethiopia, have expressed interest in joining BRICS to pursue their individual development agendas through international collaboration. This indicates that numerous countries in the Global South reject the US approach of aggression and oversimplification of global issues, instead seeking a multipolar world that benefits everyone.

However, despite its potential, several challenges need to be addressed. One of them is the division within BRICS. For instance, India and China have disagreements regarding their respective influence within the organization. While both countries support the expansion of BRICS to include other nations, India has expressed concerns that BRICS could become a Chinese-led organization, potentially diminishing the influence of other members like Brazil and South Africa. This issue can be resolved through negotiations between India and China to find a mutually beneficial solution. Another significant challenge lies in economics, which holds great importance as well. The plans to establish a single currency for BRICS must carefully consider the economic impact to ensure that a sound understanding of economics supports the efforts of BRICS in building a multipolar world.

Conclusion

Third-Worldism has played a significant role in advancing the interests of the nations in the Global South, including Asia, Africa, and Latin America. However, the values of Pan-Asianism, Pan-Africanism, and Pan-Arabism have limited relevance in a unipolar world dominated by the West. The decline of these ideologies can be seen as an opportunity in disguise, as their failures provide valuable lessons for countries to learn from and improve their agendas.

Presently, the Global South has an increasingly influential voice in diplomatic circles, particularly in addressing pressing issues such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Climate Change, and the pursuit of a multipolar world that promotes collaboration and mutually beneficial outcomes for all nations. Prominent countries in the Global South, including India, Brazil, Indonesia, South Africa, and China, wield growing influence and have the potential to champion the interests of the Global South on key global issues, fostering strength to protect the weaker nations.

Despite the rising influence of the Global South in international affairs, challenges remain that need to be addressed. These challenges include bridging divisions and prioritizing economic matters to avoid repeating past mistakes that led to the failure of promising ideals. However, efforts are being made to address these challenges through South-South collaboration among Global South countries and a greater focus on inclusive development that benefits all countries in the Global South. As Lee Kuan Yew, the former Prime Minister of Singapore, believed, the contemporary world of international relations calls for leaders with ideas on crucial issues like economics, rather than leaders who fought in wars of independence.