, HED4805 ASSIGNMENT 2 2026
DUE DATE : JUNE 2026
Question 1
1.1 Explain what is meant by the expression “Global North and Global South” (10)
The expressions “Global North” and “Global South” refer to more than just geographical
divisions; they describe global inequalities in power, wealth, and knowledge production.
The Global North generally includes highly industrialised and economically dominant
countries such as those in Western Europe and North America. These countries have
historically shaped global systems of trade, politics, and education, and continue to
dominate academic publishing and knowledge production. In contrast, the Global South
refers to countries in Africa, Latin America, parts of Asia, and other regions that have
historically been marginalised through colonialism, economic dependency, and unequal
global development structures (Seroto, Davids & Wolhuter, 2020).
In academic discourse, the Global North is often positioned as the centre of knowledge
production, while the Global South is frequently positioned as the “object” of research
rather than an equal producer of knowledge. This creates an imbalance where Western
theories and perspectives are treated as universal, while indigenous and locally
produced knowledge systems are often undervalued or ignored. Santos (2014) refers to
this as epistemic inequality, where certain forms of knowledge are legitimised while
others are silenced.
The Global South therefore also represents a historical condition shaped by colonialism,
capitalism, racism, and patriarchy. It reflects communities that have experienced long-
term exclusion from economic and intellectual systems of power. As the extract
DUE DATE : JUNE 2026
Question 1
1.1 Explain what is meant by the expression “Global North and Global South” (10)
The expressions “Global North” and “Global South” refer to more than just geographical
divisions; they describe global inequalities in power, wealth, and knowledge production.
The Global North generally includes highly industrialised and economically dominant
countries such as those in Western Europe and North America. These countries have
historically shaped global systems of trade, politics, and education, and continue to
dominate academic publishing and knowledge production. In contrast, the Global South
refers to countries in Africa, Latin America, parts of Asia, and other regions that have
historically been marginalised through colonialism, economic dependency, and unequal
global development structures (Seroto, Davids & Wolhuter, 2020).
In academic discourse, the Global North is often positioned as the centre of knowledge
production, while the Global South is frequently positioned as the “object” of research
rather than an equal producer of knowledge. This creates an imbalance where Western
theories and perspectives are treated as universal, while indigenous and locally
produced knowledge systems are often undervalued or ignored. Santos (2014) refers to
this as epistemic inequality, where certain forms of knowledge are legitimised while
others are silenced.
The Global South therefore also represents a historical condition shaped by colonialism,
capitalism, racism, and patriarchy. It reflects communities that have experienced long-
term exclusion from economic and intellectual systems of power. As the extract
