Several recent articles have questioned the validity of the concept of the “Global South” and even call for the retirement of the term altogether. But instead of dismissing the term, it’s important to clarify what the Global South is and is not, and to demonstrate the shortcomings of the most widely used arguments against the concept.
At a far-right conference in Budapest this month, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni delivered a speech bashing a supposedly “woke” left. But the pro-European Meloni showed more caution in discussing the EU with the famously Euroskeptic Viktor Orban, hinting at divisions between right-wing movements often viewed as natural allies.
Today at WPR, we’re covering a global spate of civil-military crises and a bitter rivalry in Bolivia’s ruling party.
But first, here’s our take on today’s top story:
United States: In a speech yesterday, President Joe Biden issued a scathing—and from him, rare—attack on former President Donald Trump, who he accused of plotting to undermine American democracy and portrayed as a budding autocrat. (New York Times)
The speech comes just days before the U.S. federal government faces a potential shutdown should Congress fail to pass a short-term funding bill by tomorrow night. A slim Republican majority in the House of Representatives has so far failed to pass a bill because of opposition by a small group of far-right party members, who have also threatened to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy should he work with Democrats to pass the bill. They reportedly may do so anyway. (New York Times; Washington Post)
Our Take: The one-two punch of Biden’s speech and the looming government shutdown in many ways serves to highlight the two forms of democratic erosion that can be seen in the U.S. today.
On the one hand, there is Trump and his MAGA supporters, who have in the past attempted to undermine the U.S. Constitution and are currently advertising their preparations to centralize power in his hands should he win next year’s presidential election. On the other, there is the small group of far-right lawmakers, who are intent on defying the House speaker and their own caucus in order to paralyze the federal government.
The Republican obstructionism has already diminished U.S. military preparedness, due to a block on Senate confirmations of military nominations and promotions. The damage of that dysfunction, however, will be further compounded in the event of a shutdown, with an immediate impact on the U.S. economy and Washington’s inability to fund global initiatives.
