The document discusses the complexities of the north-south divide in developing countries, highlighting common issues such as poor economic growth, pervasive poverty, and weak governance. It raises critical questions regarding the responsibility of the international system, the biases present, and the role of developed nations. Four potential strategies to address the divide are proposed: maintaining the status quo, altering the system, encouraging self-help, and pursuing bilateral assistance.

1. The North-South Divide
The Realities of a Complex Problem

2. On Developing Countries
• Common problems of developing countries:
• Lackluster economic growth.
• Pervasive poverty.
• Weak institutions of governance.
• Societal divides.
• The question is, to what extent should the
international system be held responsible?

3. The Burning Questions
• Are developing countries disadvantaged by the
structure of the current international system?
• Is the system “biased” in favor of the developing
world?
• Are the problems experienced by developing
countries of their own doing?
• To what extent should the developed world view
this as their problem also?
• Have international institutions made the problem
better or worse?

4. Facts
• According to the 1999 UNDP Report (Patterns of
Global Inequality), the fifth of the world’s
population living in the highest-income countries
have:
• 86 percent of world GDP
• 82 percent of world export markets
• 68 percent of foreign direct investments
• In contrast, the bottom half have just 1 percent of
each.

5. Unequal World
26%
18%
27%
29%
Low Income
Lower Middle Income
Upper Middle Income
High Income

6. Unequal World
26%
18%
27%
29%
Low Income
Lower Middle Income
Upper Middle Income
High Income

7. Addressing the Divide
• Four alternatives to address the North-South
Divide:
• Do nothing.
• Change the system.
• Self-help.
• Bi-lateral assistance.