, QUESTION 1
1.1 Explain what is meant by the expression “Global North and Global South” (10)
The terms Global North and Global South are used as analytical concepts to describe global
inequalities in knowledge production, economic power, political influence, and historical
development. The Global North generally refers to highly industrialised, economically
dominant countries located mainly in Europe and North America, as well as other developed
regions that have historically shaped global systems of knowledge and governance. These
countries are often associated with colonial expansion, industrialisation, and the establishment of
dominant academic and institutional frameworks that continue to influence global education and
research (Seroto, Davids & Wolhuter, 2020).
In contrast, the Global South refers broadly to countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and
other regions that have experienced colonisation, exploitation, and systemic inequality. However,
the concept is not limited to geographical location. It also refers to historical and structural
conditions such as poverty, underdevelopment, marginalisation, and limited influence in global
knowledge production systems (Santos, 2014). The Global South is therefore understood as a
space of epistemic struggle where alternative ways of knowing are often excluded or
undervalued.
A key feature of the Global North/Global South divide is the imbalance in academic knowledge
production. Research agendas, theoretical frameworks, and publication platforms are largely
dominated by scholars and institutions from the Global North. As a result, the Global South is
often positioned as an object of study rather than a producer of legitimate knowledge, which
reinforces epistemic inequality and intellectual dependency (Blaut, 1993). This means that
knowledge from the Global South is frequently interpreted through Western lenses, which may
distort or marginalise indigenous perspectives.
The Global South concept also highlights lived experiences of inequality, including the effects of
colonialism, capitalism, racism, and patriarchy. These systems have historically shaped access to
education, resources, and opportunities, resulting in long-term structural disadvantage for many
societies in the Global South (Taiwo, 1993). Therefore, the distinction between Global North and
1.1 Explain what is meant by the expression “Global North and Global South” (10)
The terms Global North and Global South are used as analytical concepts to describe global
inequalities in knowledge production, economic power, political influence, and historical
development. The Global North generally refers to highly industrialised, economically
dominant countries located mainly in Europe and North America, as well as other developed
regions that have historically shaped global systems of knowledge and governance. These
countries are often associated with colonial expansion, industrialisation, and the establishment of
dominant academic and institutional frameworks that continue to influence global education and
research (Seroto, Davids & Wolhuter, 2020).
In contrast, the Global South refers broadly to countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and
other regions that have experienced colonisation, exploitation, and systemic inequality. However,
the concept is not limited to geographical location. It also refers to historical and structural
conditions such as poverty, underdevelopment, marginalisation, and limited influence in global
knowledge production systems (Santos, 2014). The Global South is therefore understood as a
space of epistemic struggle where alternative ways of knowing are often excluded or
undervalued.
A key feature of the Global North/Global South divide is the imbalance in academic knowledge
production. Research agendas, theoretical frameworks, and publication platforms are largely
dominated by scholars and institutions from the Global North. As a result, the Global South is
often positioned as an object of study rather than a producer of legitimate knowledge, which
reinforces epistemic inequality and intellectual dependency (Blaut, 1993). This means that
knowledge from the Global South is frequently interpreted through Western lenses, which may
distort or marginalise indigenous perspectives.
The Global South concept also highlights lived experiences of inequality, including the effects of
colonialism, capitalism, racism, and patriarchy. These systems have historically shaped access to
education, resources, and opportunities, resulting in long-term structural disadvantage for many
societies in the Global South (Taiwo, 1993). Therefore, the distinction between Global North and
