Exposing World Wide Inequalities: Introduction
Exposing Worldwide Inequalities:
Capitalism, Western Imperialism, and Their Contribution to Creating the World Environment
A complex network of political, social, and environmental issues characterize the modern world and the way that climate change affects each part of it. Oftentimes, the impact of climate change is disproportionate due to issues which root in historical phenomena that have permanently shaped the reality of our modern society, such as capitalism and colonialism. However, many forms of climate activism forsake these roots by not approaching the climate crisis in a way that takes into account inequalities caused by these circumstances. Hence, it is crucial to clarify what these phenomena consist of, how the historical context of certain regions has led to an increased impact from climate change within those regions, and how these differences perpetuate social inequalities to fully grasp how the climate crisis is affecting us all.
Unveiling the Climate Crisis:
its Causes and Consequences
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the word "climate change" refers to “any change in climate over time, whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity.” This last cause is the justification for the current global climate emergency, as the WHO goes on to maintain that “humanity’s burning of fossil fuels has emitted enough greenhouse gases (GHGs) to significantly alter the composition of the atmosphere, and the average world temperature has risen between 1.1 and 1.2°C.”. The excessive greenhouse gas emissions aforementioned are released into the atmosphere as a result of human activity which not only includes burning fossil fuels, but deforestation, industrial procedures and other human-caused processes as well. These gases mainly consist of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), which form a layer in the Earth’s atmosphere that allows it to retain some of the heat from the Sun’s rays. When present in the right amount, they heat up the Earth to allow adequate conditions for life; however, with excessive emissions of these gases, the layer that is essential to life on Earth has thickened, trapping more and more heat, and causing excessive overheating of the planet. Essentially, it is getting too warm, too fast. Events such as rising temperatures, harsh weather, and ecological disruptions are some of the consequences of this heating, consequences which are seriously threatening societies globally.
Understanding the Legacy of
Western Imperialism, Colonization, and Capitalism
Throughout this series, you will hear references to the Global North and the Global South. The countries that make up the Global North are mostly developed and wealthy, and they primarily reside in North America, Europe, and some regions of Asia. These nations have long been known for their high economic success, political stability, and technical advancement. On the other hand, the Global South is made up of areas that are less industrialized and economically developed. These areas are typically found in sections of Asia, Africa, and Latin America and have a significant history of colonization. Their history of colonization (theme which will be covered later) has caused these countries to struggle with issues like poverty, inequality, and insufficient access to basic services and resources.
Throughout history, Western societies have referred to the Global South through the use of the phrase "third world countries,". While this term originally referred to countries that were not part of the Warsaw Pact or NATO during the Cold War, it now refers to any country that faces the above-mentioned socioeconomic difficulties. Because this phrase carries significant negative connotations, phrases like "developing countries'' or "Global South'' have supplanted it.
Contextualising the differences between the Global North and South and effects of Western imperialism, colonisation, and capitalism on global socio-economic and environmental dynamics requires an understanding of these ideas. According to the Legal Information Institute, imperialism can be defined as “a doctrine, political strategy, practice, state policy, or advocacy that consists in extending power by territorial acquisition or by extending political and economic control outward over other areas.” The term was originally coined at the beginning of the 20th century as a way to encapsulate characteristic practices of the large empires which developed throughout history. An empire is an extended political structure which usually is led by a central authority and which uses the annexation of territories as a way to expand its influence and gain both political and economic benefit. Usually, when a country adopts an imperialistic approach, the main goal is to acquire resources, either through strategy or force. This is especially the case for the Western empires which developed starting from the 16th and 17th century. In this time, the Americas were discovered and naval transportation technologies that allowed for international trade routes to thrive were developed; it was with the aim of supporting the economies of the new-born and expanding European empires that Westerners exploited large populations in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The main form of said exploitation was colonialism. Colonialism, as defined by National Geographic, is "control by one power over a dependent area or people,'' and it happens when one country conquers another, subjugates its people, and takes advantage of them and of the region's resources to profit their own country, while simultaneously imposing its own language and cultural norms on them. Basically, colonialism is an active practice, while imperialism is an overarching belief propelling the act of colonisation. Oftentimes, to maintain their influence and power over a region, colonist countries used specific mechanisms to enslave colonised countries. With the birth of capitalism, which also began to flourish in the 16th and 17th century, financial dependence became one of the most effective methods of keeping colonist countries in power. Capitalism, as explained by the International Monetary Fund, is an “economic system in which private actors own and control property in accord with their interests, and demand and supply freely set prices in markets in a way that can serve the best interests of society.” This economic system is based on private property and profit, the latter of which can only be heightened through the maximisation of production rates. For Western empires, the most effective way to maximize said profit was through the exploitation of resources and people of countries under their direct influence. This created a system in which the colonized countries’ economies depended solely on European influence, and from this practice derive many of today’s economic imbalances in the Global South. It is clear to see how in this context, capitalism became a system that enabled and reinforced colonialism and imperialistic practices, which enabled further economic growth and therefore further exploitation of the colonized countries’ resources. It is these mechanisms that lay the foundation of socioeconomic divide between the Global North and South today, one of the many ways that Western imperialism's legacy is still felt. As a result, colonised countries were demoted to lower ranks in the global economic order and robbed of their labour, natural resources, and cultural legacy. On the other hand, Western nations have benefited from the money extracted from these colonies, which has laid the groundwork for the Global North's prosperity at the expense of the Global South.
Photographer Jorge Salvador, 2019, via www.unsplash.com
Confronting the Roots of Inequality:
Addressing the Impact of Capitalism and Imperialism on Global Disparities
The main causes of the world's inequalities—which include political, socioeconomic, and environmental divides between the Global North and Global South—have been capitalism and Western imperialism. The vulnerabilities of marginalised populations in the Global South, who lack the infrastructure and resources necessary to effectively adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change, are further worsened by the crisis. In turn, this is made worse by the capitalist exploitation of natural resources which is causing the crisis in the first place, resulting in a vicious cycle which sees the degradation of the Global South as its direct consequence. In order to address these differences, it is necessary to address the systemic inequalities ingrained in the international economic system and to promote a paradigm change in favour of sustainable and equitable growth. We can only create a more equitable and resilient society by working together in solidarity, confronting the legacy of capitalism and imperialism, and directing our efforts towards a more prosperous and inclusive future for all by upholding the values of justice, equity, and sustainability. With these realizations, it is crucial that we keep working towards a world in which the effects of capitalism and imperialism are acknowledged and overcome, and in which the values of justice, equity, and sustainability direct our joint efforts in the direction of a more prosperous and inclusive future for all.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
This is discussed further in:
Sridharan, S. (2023). Climate change: Global South suffers from developed world’s inaction | Policy Circle. [online] Click here
Al Jazeera. (n.d.). Rich nations urged to pay $13 trillion in pledges to Global South. [online] Click here
Ülgen, S. (2021). How Deep Is the North-South Divide on Climate Negotiations? [online] Carnegie Europe. Click here
orfonline.org. (n.d.). It’s time for climate justice- A Global South perspective on the fight against the climate crisis. [online] Click here
Singh, I. (2022). Global South prepares a major push for climate compensation at COP27. [online] CBC. Click here
O’Neill, D. (2023). Empire | political science. [online] Encyclopedia Britannica. Click here
Written by Jada Khan
Edited by Beatrice Bos & Sophia Hernandez
