SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION: A SELF-SCRUTINY

This critical analysis conducts a self-scrutiny of South-South cooperation initiatives among developing countries during the early 1980s. The article examines the conceptual foundations, practical achievements, and persistent challenges of cooperation mechanisms between countries of the global South. The research investigates the historical evolution of South-South cooperation from the Bandung Conference through various UNCTAD meetings to contemporary initiatives. The study analyzes different forms of South-South cooperation, including regional economic integration, technical cooperation, trade preferences, and collective bargaining in international forums. The article assesses the performance of major South-South cooperation frameworks and identifies factors that have facilitated or hindered effective collaboration. The research also examines the relationship between South-South cooperation and broader North-South negotiations, including the quest for a New International Economic Order. Furthermore, the analysis proposes reforms and innovations to enhance the effectiveness of South-South cooperation in addressing common development challenges.

South-South cooperation emerged as a significant dimension of international relations during the 1970s and early 1980s, with this article providing a critical self-examination of its achievements and limitations. The research begins by tracing the historical development of South-South cooperation ideas, from early anti-colonial solidarity to contemporary economic and technical collaboration frameworks. The analysis explores the theoretical foundations of South-South cooperation, examining how dependency theory, collective self-reliance concepts, and development solidarity principles have informed cooperation initiatives. The article investigates different institutional forms of South-South cooperation, including regional economic communities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, sectoral cooperation arrangements, and global frameworks like the Group of 77. The study examines trade cooperation mechanisms among developing countries, analyzing preferential trade areas, payments unions, and commodity agreements designed to enhance South-South economic exchanges. The research assesses technical cooperation programs, including knowledge sharing, expert exchanges, and joint research initiatives that facilitate capacity building among developing nations. The article analyzes financial cooperation arrangements, including development banks, stabilization funds, and credit facilities established by and for developing countries. The study investigates political cooperation in international forums, examining how developing countries coordinate positions in United Nations agencies, specialized international organizations, and global negotiations. Based on the comprehensive assessment, the article identifies both achievements and persistent challenges in South-South cooperation, including implementation gaps, resource constraints, and political differences among partner countries. The research proposes specific reforms to enhance the effectiveness of South-South cooperation, including improved institutional mechanisms, better resource mobilization, and stronger monitoring and evaluation systems. The findings provide valuable insights into how developing countries can strengthen mutual cooperation and contribute to understanding the potential and limitations of South-South solidarity in the global political economy.