Economic development of the Global South in the age of geopolitical upheaval

Since 2008 (perhaps even since 2001), the world has entered a long period of international (or “geopolitical”) volatility or upheaval. 9/11, the Iraq War, the Russia-Georgia War, the Arabic Spring and its aftermath, the Crimean crisis, the Brexit, Trump, the Russia-Ukraine crisis, the Israel-Hamas war, and of course, the US-China rivalry, have made the Age of Upheaval. 

Hence, even if we believe that economic development has been mostly driven by domestic developments, international politics constrain states’ actions, including pursuing economic development. This is perhaps even more so for the Global South. Hence, all developing countries (roughly the Global South) have to develop under the enormous constraint imposed by globalization and international system.  

Shiping Tang's talk will focus on the impact of international politics on economic development in the Global South. More concretely, he will explore the following questions. What are some of the key challenges that international volatility imposes on the Global South when it comes to sustaining economic development? What can the Global South themselves do in order to sustain economic development? Can the Global South forge a more just/equal international economic order to alleviate the pain imposed by international volatility? What will the key effects of the ongoing U.S.-China rivalry for the Global South in pursuing economic development? 

About the speaker

Shiping Tang is one of Asia’s most influential and innovative social scientists. He was elected as one of the three vice-presidents (2025-26) of the International Studies Association (ISA). He is the first Chinese scholar to be elected to this position. In 2024, he was honored as one of the three Distinguished Scholars at the Global IR Section (GIRS) at the ISA Convention in San Francisco, along with Barry Buzan and Cristina Rojas.

Tang holds the position of Fudan Distinguished Professor and Dr. Seaker Chan Chair Professor at, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. He also holds a “Chang-Jiang/Cheung Kong Scholar” Distinguished Professorship from the Chinese Ministry of Education, the highest honor a social scientist can hold in China.

Chair

• Elisa Van Waeyenberge, Dean of College of Development, Economics and Finance, SOAS

Discussant

• Arkebe Oqubay Metiku, British Academy Global Professor, Department of Development Studies, SOAS

This event is part of the SOAS Global Development Seminar Series.