PANEL ON GLOBAL SOUTH PERSPECTIVES ON US: VARIANTS AND IMPLICATIONS
01st of September 2024
On 01st of September, 2024, the Department of International Relations held a special and an important panel titled ‘GLOBAL SOUTH PERSPECTIVES ON US: VARIANTS AND IMPLICATIONS’, with four young academics from Global South countries – Venezuela, Mexico, Malawi and Sri Lanka. The panelists were, Prof. Esther Mobilia, a historian from the Universidad Central de Venezuela; Dr. J. Enrique Aguirre Torres, Associate Professor, Jesuit University of Guadalajara, Mexico; George Abel Mhango, Mzuzu University, Malawi and Dr Pavithra Jayawardena, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. The panel discussion trigged a very important conversation across the global south countries and brought about significant similarities in their ways of viewing the United States. Panel was organized by Dr Pavithra Jayawardena, specifically for the postgraduate students (Master of Arts in International Relations) of the MAIR 7213 : International Politics course.
Summary of the Panel Discussion –
Prof Esther Mobilia – Presenting a historical analysis, Prof Mobilia made a compelling case that how US’s hegemonic relations with Latin American countries over the decades have become the main reference for Latin American countries’ views towards the US. Since James Monroe in 1823 proclaimed that USA is the protector of the Western hemisphere and forbids European powers from colonizing additional territories in the region, Latin American countries were expected to be followers and surbodinates of the USA. 1898 to 1933 period saw some drawbacks in the relationship between USA and Latin American region. US involvement in conflicts with Columbia, Panama, Cuba contributed largely in to the growing distrust of Latin American countries towards USA. When USA elevated its position from a regional power to a global power between the 1959 to 1990 and was promoting liberal and capitalist ideas across the globe, Socialism was on the rise in the neighborhood. US’s attempts in containing the spread of Socialism in Latin American countries further affected the relations between US and Latin American countries negatively. From 1991 to 2006, Latin American countries saw the rise of Neoliberalism and Populist movements. According to Prof Mobilia, after 2006, the Anti-Americanism was on the rise again which was promoted and led by leaders such as Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. The relationship between USA and Latin America has been marked by ups and downs. The social revolutionary movements we see today in Latin America are largely the results of the historical hegemonic power of USA.
Dr. J. Enrique Aguirre Torres – Dr Enrque took a country (Mexico) specific analysis to understand the unique relationship between Mexico and USA and provided a very important insight to Mexico’s views on the US. He referred mainly to the issues faced in terms of migration, security and economic integration. The relationship between the two countries has been very close but tense with their long histories specially in the 20th and the 21st century. These tensions have heightened by the proposed reforms to the Mexican Judiciary system which is viewed by some as a threat to democracy and a violation of Mexican sovereignty. The two countries share a 3000 KM boarder and they have very high level of interactions which can be depicted by the frequent meetings of the Mexican US leaders. Cultural migration is a sensitive topic in the US Mexican migration, that contributes to Political tensions and feelings of insecurity. Security Concern such as drug trafficking are also prominent tensions between the two countries. The drug trade had been active since 1980’s starting from Marijuana evolving to cocaine and Fentanyl drives violence and insecurity in Mexico. Mexico has accused USA of the contribution of this violence through illegal trade across the border. Such security issues stain the bilateral relations between the two countries while creating unfairness and misunderstandings between the two nations. In conclusion, he stated that the relationship between the two countries are characterized by economic, security and cultural factors and that how the ongoing issues such as drug trafficking, migration and Anti-American sentiment creates tensions. Through his speech he presented how understanding and addressing these challenges are crucial for a stable and prosperous future for both the countries.
George Abel Mhango – Mr Mhango too a theoretical approach to understand the main factors that affect and shape global south views towards the US. According to him, The relationship between the Global South and the United States is shaped by a mix of historical legacies, economic realities, and evolving geopolitical perspectives. A holistic, normative-realistic approach is therefore, required to understand how the Global South perceives and interacts with the U.S. Following World War II, many countries in Latin America, Africa, and Asia gained independence. In response to the limitations of traditional theories to explain Global South positions, he showed the merits of the new theoretical frameworks to understand Global South’s position in global power relations, such as the critical theory, decolonial theory, subaltern geopolitical theory, critical development theory, post neoliberalism. While not a theory, South-South cooperation is noted by him as an important perspective, exemplified by BRICS. This growing alliance represents a new geopolitical force that aims to uplift the Global South through mutual cooperation. In conclusion, Mr Mhango stated that the Global South’s perspective towards the U.S. is informed by a complex interplay of historical legacies and economic dependencies. Understanding this relationship requires a multidimensional approach that considers both structural inequalities and the agency of the Global South.
Dr. Pavithra Jayawardena – Based on the case of Sri Lanka, Dr Pavithra specifically looked at the period between 2000 – 2020, closely investigating the continuities and the changes of Sri Lanka’s perceptions on the US. She took a relative approach to understand global south contemporary views towards the US, as the exiting super power who is struggling to retain its power supremacy with the rise of China. She made a compelling case linking how much US’s approach towards Sri Lanka’s civil war has affected Sri Lanka to shape its views on the US. She noted that after the failure of the peace process and Sri Lanka under Mahinda Rajapaksa choosing to use a military approach against the separatist movement, US and its alliances put an heavy pressure on Sri Lanka, which ultimately led the country to choose China (and Pakistan) over US (and its alliances, India) to gain military support. She puts up a hypothesis that Sri Lanka’s bandwagoning towards China has to be understood with its perceived declining relations with the US at the time.
