The 4th Tsinghua Area Studies Forum Call for Papers

1.Geopolitics and Domestic Politics: The Two-way Influence between Global South Countries and the Evolution of World Order

From a systemic perspective, the current political and economic order of the world is undergoing profound changes, with trends such as “the rise of the East and the decline of the West” and “the rise of the South and the decline of the North” becoming increasingly apparent. Global governance is gradually shifting from being dominated by developed western countries to a more cooperative, worldwide approach. Global South countries are playing an increasingly important role in world politics. This significant transformation is often accompanied by political instability and turmoil, prominently manifested in the rise of geopolitics, which includes major power competition, the emergence of new forces, and non-state actors, as well as frequent geopolitical conflicts triggered by intense competition over land, energy, resources, and strategic passages. Global South countries are not only deeply involved in these geopolitical dynamics but sometimes actively shape these processes. By studying the role of Global South countries in geopolitics, we aim not only to understand the changing roles of these countries in international politics and their impact but also to predict the future direction of world order and achieve theoretical innovations in related fields such as geopolitical theory, international political theory, war theory, and comparative political economy.

From a domestic perspective, the profound transformation of world order has had multifaceted effects on the internal politics of Global South countries, leading to the rise in nationalism and populism, the return to statism, the increase of political polarization, stronger ethnic identities, as well as the rise of regionalism and localism, with intensified conflicts between the interests of local and central governments. These internal trends, in turn, further influence the global geopolitical landscape. By studying the domestic politics of Global South countries, we hope not only to understand the valuable experience of these countries in responding to the transformation of global order but also to promote theoretical development through academic analysis of these experience.

The topics in this panel include:

1) Global South Countries in Geopolitical Conflicts

This sub-panel explores how Global South countries respond to the ever-changing geopolitical landscape and their role in the global power competition. It emphasizes how these countries influence geopolitical conflicts, and discusses how they enhance their strategic positions through active participation in geopolitical processes. The discussion will cover how these countries make strategic choices in geopolitical conflicts to safeguard national interests and achieve regional stability. Furthermore, there will be in-depth examinations of the agency of Global South countries in promoting geopolitical changes, including how they actively shape the geopolitical environment through diplomacy, economic cooperation, and military means, as well as how they utilize international organizations and regional cooperation platforms to enhance their discourse power in global affairs. These discussions need to be grounded in academic reasoning and adopt an interdisciplinary approach to comprehensively analyze the complex roles of Global South countries in geopolitics.

2) Regional Integration and Cooperation among Global South Countries

This sub-panel explores regional cooperation and the integration processes among Global South countries, specifically examining whether these efforts can help these countries gain greater influence in the emerging global order. It also focuses on the role of regional organizations in promoting economic integration, reducing conflicts, and enhancing political stability. Additionally, it analyzes the motivations for regional integration, including economic benefits, political stability, and security needs, as well as the specific strategies adopted by different countries to advance regional integration. The sub-panel will examine how these strategies shape the development of the global order and contribute to addressing global challenges. Moreover, it will explore the competition and cooperation among regional integration initiatives by Global South countries, along with the challenges faced in practice, such as conflicts of interest, unequal resource distribution, internal political instability, and external interference.

3) Global South Countries and International Security Cooperation

This sub-panel explores the role of Global South countries in maintaining international security and regional stability, particularly their cooperation in addressing transnational security threats. These threats include terrorism, cyberattack, illegal migration, drug trafficking, and cross-border crimes. The discussion will focus on how these countries work together through bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms to address these challenges and enhance their national security capabilities. Particular attention will be given to the security role played by Global South countries within international and regional organizations such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the African Union, and the Southern Common Market, and how they enhance their voice in international security affairs by participating in international peacekeeping operations and regional security mechanisms.

4) Political Polarization, Party Competition, and State Governance

This sub-panel analyzes political polarization within Global South countries and its impact on state governance, especially focusing on party competitions and the rise of populism. The discussion will cover how political parties use populism to mobilize supporters, how they consolidate power through policy agendas and political strategies, and how these processes lead to complications and inefficiencies in governance. It will explore the challenges of achieving effective governance in diverse political environments, including maintaining policy coherence and stability amid severe political polarization, and balancing the needs of different interest groups in party competitions. By employing theories and methods from political science, sociology, history, and economics, this sub-panel aims to provide new theoretical perspectives on understanding governance models in Global South countries.

2. Economic Development: New Pathways and Future Prospects for the Global South

The countries of the Global South are undergoing profound economic and social transformations within the context of a complex international environment. As an integral part of economic globalization, these countries not only face traditional development challenges but also contend with intensifying global competition and growing uncertainties. This panel aims to explore how countries in the Global South can seize opportunities, tackle challenges, and achieve sustainable economic growth and social progress in this new era.

With the acceleration of globalization, the blue economy, shipping economy, and port economy have become key pillars of development for the Global South. By harnessing rich marine resources and building modern port infrastructures, these countries have not only boosted trade exchanges but also promoted regional economic integration and optimization of global supply chains. Furthermore, innovation and technological upgrades play a crucial role in driving the sustainable development of these sectors, creating new opportunities for the Global South to integrate into the world economy.

Meanwhile, the informal economy remains widespread in the Global South. A long-term challenge for these countries is how to transform the informal economy through policy interventions, digital tools, and technological innovations. The informal sector is not only essential for inclusive social development but also plays a significant role in labor market flexibility and overall economic resilience.

The restructuring of global value chains and industrial transformation represent another vital area for the Global South to enhance its competitiveness. Through innovation-driven industrial upgrades, these countries are expected to break free from dependency on low-value-added industries, actively participate in higher-value segments of global value chains, and achieve full-chain development from production to services. Moreover, technological innovation and digital transformation present unprecedented opportunities for the Global South to catch up and reduce the technological and productivity gaps with developed countries.

The topics in this panel include:

1) Global Value Chains and Industrial Transformation

Countries in the Global South are typically positioned at the lower end of global value chains. A key challenge is how to upgrade their position within these chains. This sub-panel will focus on industrial transformation and upgrading in the Global South, exploring how to integrate into global value chains through the development of manufacturing, increasing value-added production, strengthening technological innovation, and achieving green production. Case studies will be used to understand successful policy innovations that have facilitated industrial upgrading in certain countries.

2) Transformation of the Informal Economy and Sustainable Development

The informal economy is widespread in the Global South and plays a critical role in employment and livelihoods. This sub-panel will explore how policy reforms and innovative approaches can improve the productivity of the informal economy and promote its formalization and sustainability. Discussions will cover governance challenges in the informal economy, the impact of digital transformation on the informal sector, and how to create better economic opportunities for vulnerable groups.

3) Blue Economy, Shipping Economy and Port Economy

The Global South has abundant marine resources, and the shipping and port sectors play a pivotal role in global trade. This sub-panel will focus on how to drive economic growth in the Global South through improved port infrastructure, enhanced shipping efficiency, and sustainable development of marine resources. We will explore the role of the blue economy in global supply chains, sustainable marine resource management within the framework of sustainable development, and the impact of globalization and regional economic integration on port economies.

4) Digital Economy and Digital Transformation

The rapid development of the digital economy is profoundly reshaping the global economic landscape, offering new opportunities for the Global South. By developing digital economies, these countries have the potential to achieve leapfrog development in technological innovation and economic transformation. This sub-panel will delve into how the Global South can leverage digital technologies such as online platforms, big data, and the Internet of Things to drive economic growth, reduce inequality, and address challenges posed by globalization and climate change. The far-reaching impact of digitalization across different industries, particularly in the service and manufacturing sectors, and how to enhance competitiveness through digital infrastructure development will be key topics of discussion.

5) Economic Inequality and Institutional Transformation

As the Global South develops rapidly, it faces the dual challenge of economic inequality and structural transformation. This sub-panel will comprehensively analyze the difficulties these countries encounter in achieving inclusive growth, discussing how to reduce income disparities and promote balanced urban-rural development through social welfare reforms, inclusive finance, and equitable education. Furthermore, we will examine the specific paths these countries are taking in industrialization, agricultural modernization, and service sector development, alongside the internal governance and infrastructure challenges they face, as well as the external pressures from globalization and geopolitical changes. Through policy interventions and innovation, this sub-panel will explore how these countries can address existing issues during their transformation process to achieve long-term, sustainable economic growth.

3. Social Development and Governance Challenges in the Global South

Under this panel, we will examine the complex challenges that Global South countries face in social development and governance such as economic inequality, social exclusion, and poverty, alongside obstacles in governance and policy implementation intensified by globalization, climate change, technological shifts, and rising geopolitical competition. By exploring approaches to inclusive growth, reducing social inequality, and promoting sustainable development within diverse social and cultural contexts, this panel aims to foster exchange and mutual learning among regions within the Global South, particularly Latin America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. The panel will also highlight effective governance practices, focusing on enhancing government responsiveness, building social trust, and tackling both current and future social governance challenges through institutional innovation.

The topics in this panel include:

1) Social Inequality and Welfare Systems

Social inequality remains a major challenge for Global South countries. In regions such as Latin America, Africa, and parts of Asia, context-specific social policies are being implemented to address inequality and improve quality of life. This sub-panel will examine efforts to build innovative social welfare systems in the Global South, focusing on how policy interventions and social innovations can reduce income disparities, foster inclusion, and decrease exclusion. It will also discuss common challenges in welfare development, including resource scarcity, political instability, institutional weaknesses, and implementation barriers, and explore how regional cooperation and international aid can help overcome these constraints for sustainable development. The goal is to analyze welfare development paths in the Global South and demonstrate how effective social policies can mitigate inequality, promote social justice, and provide insights for other developing nations.

2) Central-local Coordination and Innovation in Local Governance

Effective coordination between national and local governments, along with national capacity building, is essential for achieving social stability and sustainable economic development in the Global South. This sub-panel will focus on local governance at urban, regional, and provincial levels, examining how to address economic imbalances, unequal social services, and infrastructure gaps through innovative governance models, improved central-local coordination, and enhanced government capacity. Key topics include the division of responsibilities between central and local governments, cross-regional policy coordination, fiscal resource management, and the role of local governments in tackling global challenges like climate change and technological change.

3) Innovating Social Governance in the Digital Transformation Era

The rapid development of technology and digitalization offers unprecedented opportunities for countries in the Global South, driving economic growth and social progress. However, this transformation also brings challenges, particularly the digital divide, which limits access to technology and information for certain groups and regions. This sub-panel will analyze the current state of the digital divide and its impact on social development, examine the complexities of technology governance, and explore effective policy measures. By leveraging these technologies, governments can more accurately identify and address citizens’ needs, promoting equal participation across social groups. The aim is to provide insights and guidance for advancing development in the Global South in the digital age.

4) Public Health from a Global Health Perspective

With accelerated globalization, developing countries face diverse health threats, from infectious disease resurgence to chronic illnesses and environmental health risks. This sub-panel will focus on the unique challenges and needs in public health, including strengthening health systems, raising vaccination rates, and improving infrastructure to boost resilience. We will also examine the critical role of international cooperation in enhancing public health, covering areas like funding support, technology transfer, and knowledge sharing.

5) Urbanization and Infrastructure Development

Urbanization and infrastructure development are critical issues for the Global South. Rapid urbanization, driven by economic growth and migration, has led to increased demand for infrastructure such as transportation, housing, water, and sanitation. Many cities, however, struggle with resource shortages, inadequate planning, and environmental pressures. This sub-panel will explore sustainable solutions for urban development through interdisciplinary perspectives from urban planning, environmental science, and sociology. Emphasizing social equity, it aims to ensure infrastructure benefits all, especially marginalized and vulnerable groups, to reduce urban-rural disparities. Ultimately, this sub-panel will consider pathways for inclusive and sustainable urbanization in the Global South.

4. Historical Writing and Cultural Inheritance: Explorations of Global South Countries

While the Global South countries are undergoing economic and social transformation, they are also facing the task of reconstructing cultural identity and rewriting historical narratives. On one hand, with the continuous developing of postcolonial thought and the modernization process, the countries in the Global South are also constantly re-examining their own history, actively constructing their own historical narratives and cultural identities. This effort not only concerns the localization of academic research, but also directly affects the shaping of national identity and state building. On the other hand, with the formation and vicissitudes of the global market, and the advancement of urbanization, industrialization, and digitalization, the protection and utilization of historical and cultural heritages have become an important issue facing the Global South countries.

At the same time, new methods and perspectives, such as big data research, quantitative history, environmental history, ecological history, and perspective of global history, are influencing the historical and cultural studies in the Global South countries. This panel intends to review and examine the important position of the Global South countries in the historical process of the world, as well as how these historical writings and cultural interpretations affect the current social situation of each country, and how each country reflects on its own historical writing and cultural traditions, based on new methods, perspectives, and materials.

The topics in this panel include:

1) Historical and Cultural Memory and Nation-building in the Postcolonial Era

Historical and cultural memory is important for constructing national identity, inheriting cultural values, and maintaining social cohesion. In the postcolonial era, the nation-building process of many countries in the Global South is highly intertwined with the reconstruction of historical memory and the interpretation of culture. Shaking off colonial narratives and rebuilding indigenous historical discourses have become important tasks for many developing countries. This process involves not only the re-excavation and reinterpretation of historical materials, but also the redefinition of national identity. National museums have been established, memorial days have been set up, to construct collective memory that meets the needs of the modern nation-states. This sub-panel hopes to explore how historical and cultural memory influences the construction of national identity, and how countries in the Global South strengthen national identity and promote social development by reinterpreting and utilizing historical and cultural resources.

2) Protection and Utilization of Cultural Heritage

Driven by both globalization and modernization, the protection of cultural heritage in the Global South is facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges. Material cultural heritage such as historic districts, traditional settlements, and religious sites are facing the dual challenges from protection and development. Intangible cultural heritage such as handicrafts, folk arts, and festival traditions also need to find new ways of sustaining themselves in modern life. Countries in the Global South often face limited financial resources, rapid urban expansion, and the impact of modern lifestyles, all of which pose severe challenges to the protection of cultural heritage. Nevertheless, cultural heritage also has immense development potential, with cultural tourism and the application of digital technologies providing new possibilities for the display and dissemination of cultural heritage. This sub-panel aims to explore how to balance the protection and utilization of cultural heritage in the context of rapid development, how to achieve the creative transformation of traditional culture, and how to promote the sustainable development of the entire society and economy by activating cultural heritage.

3) Global South and Global History: Local Perspectives on Theoretical Construction and Historical Writing

Countries in the Global South have long been marginalized in the field of global knowledge production. Their historical and cultural research faces a dual challenge: breaking through the academic paradigms dominated by western centrism while constructing knowledge systems with indigenous characteristics. Western academic traditions have dominated not only the theoretical frameworks and methodologies of historical and cultural study but also the perspective of writing global history. It overlooks the important contributions of Global South countries. In the pre-modern period, various regions had already formed regional and intercontinental connections and networks, including the Indian Ocean trade network, the Maritime Silk Road, and African inland trade routes. These connections and networks formed a rich landscape of inter-civilizational interactions. This sub-panel aims to explore how to construct research paradigms that align with local knowledge and achieve autonomy in knowledge production by rediscovering and utilizing indigenous historical and cultural resources. It also discusses how to reexamine the interactions and dialogues between different civilizations from the perspective of the Global South, building a more balanced and pluralistic global historical narrative.

4) Environmental and Material History

The perspectives of environmental and material histories provide ways for understanding the development trajectory of Global South countries. Colonial history profoundly altered both the environment and material life of these nations. From the deforestation of tropical rainforests to the predatory exploitation of mineral resources, from monoculture cash crop farming to the collapse of traditional agricultural systems, colonial systems reshaped the ecological environment and modes of production in these regions. This historical legacy has not only influenced these countries' development paths but has also led to many current environmental problems and resource dilemmas. At the same time, traditional ecological wisdom, resource utilization methods, and material cultural practices face challenges of preservation and transformation in the process of modernization. This sub-panel aims to explore the interactions between environmental change, resource utilization, material culture, and social development, as well as the far-reaching impacts of these interactions on contemporary nations, and also to reexamine the unique experiences and challenges faced by Global South countries in the process of globalization.

5) Religion, Cultural Identity and Globalization

Religion plays a crucial role in the construction of cultural identity in Global South countries, serving not only as an expression of personal faith but also as an important marker of community cohesion and national identity. Recent researches have particularly focused on how globalization influences the religious landscape of these countries through capital flows, media communication, and transnational migration, giving rise to diverse forms of religious expression and cultural identity patterns. The counter-currents of globalization and the return of localism have driven religious revival, strengthening the identification with “religious identity” in Global South countries. The revival of Islam in Africa and Asia is seen as a response to Western modernity and materialism. The emergence of new religious movements in Latin American countries and the rise of ethnic religious consciousness in South Asia reflect people’s re-embrace of local cultural values. Supported by global communication technologies, these countries’ religious and cultural identities are being widely disseminated through various forms such as film, literature, and social media, resonating on a global scale. This sub-panel aims to explore the interaction between religion and cultural identity in the process of globalization, discuss how to shape future development paths through cultural inheritance, and hopes to further understand the key challenges faced by Global South countries in shaping cultural identity through these discussions.

5. Resource Governance, Competition, and Cooperation in the Global South

Global climate change and the transition to green energy are profoundly reshaping resource governance in the Global South. Whether resource-rich or resource-scarce, developing countries face complex challenges and new opportunities as they adapt to shifts in energy demand and economic pressures. Specifically, the rising demand for key minerals like lithium and cobalt due to new energy technologies, the critical role of fossil fuels in both domestic and international political and economic activities, and the water scarcity driven by global climate change are all pressing issues for Global South countries. This panel will focus on the reconfiguration of power, strategic responses, and broader implications for countries in the Global South in the areas of energy transition, mineral resource management, and water resource governance.

The topics in this panel include:

1) Green Energy Transition and the Response of the Global South

As the global climate agenda advances, the shift to green energy has become a worldwide priority, bringing multifaceted impacts to the Global South. Resource-rich countries, particularly those dependent on fossil fuel exports, face dual pressures from decreasing energy demand and economic transition; meanwhile, resource-scarce countries may find opportunities in green technology adoption and industrial restructuring, albeit with risks such as high costs and technology dependence. This sub-panel explores the challenges and opportunities encountered by Global South nations in their green energy transitions, seeking to shed light on how global energy shifts may impact inequality between the Global North and South.

2) Mineral Resource Management in the Era of Emerging Energy Technologies

With the rise of new energy technologies, minerals in the Global South—such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements—have become essential to global supply chains. This sub-panel will explore governance models in mineral resource management within Global South countries from the perspectives of policy, regulation, and international cooperation. Additionally, it will consider how developed economies, as major consumers, leverage trade, investment, technology transfers, and political influence in the extraction, supply chain management, and pricing of these resources.

3) Energy Policy and Political Power Dynamics

While the shift toward green energy is undeniable, fossil fuels remain the backbone of global energy supplies. Energy policy not only shapes economic growth and energy security but also deeply influences domestic political stability and international geopolitical strategies. This sub-panel investigates the political logics embedded within energy policy frameworks, examining how states strategically leverage natural resources to fulfill both domestic and foreign policy objectives. Additionally, it underscores the critical role of energy policy in crisis management, in recalibrating the global energy landscape, and in advancing states’ geopolitical influence.

4) Water Resource Governance in the Context of Climate Change

Global warming, changing precipitation patterns, and accelerating glacier melt have exacerbated water scarcity, making cross-border water resource management an urgent challenge. Water governance impacts key sectors such as agriculture and industry and directly affects energy supplies and ecosystem stability. Domestic transboundary and international cross-border collaboration are essential to addressing water scarcity. This sub-panel will explore cooperation mechanisms, conflict resolution strategies, and potential directions for regional and global water governance.

6. International Migration and Inclusive Development: Cases from the Global South

With the continued deepening of globalization, migration phenomena have become increasingly prominent on a global scale, particularly in the Global South. Migration-related issues have gradually become a focus of attention for governments, international organizations, and society at large. Middle and low-income countries represent a significant source of international migrants, driven by a complex array of factors including unequal opportunities for personal development, conflict and violence, and climate change. Furthermore, the demographic composition of migrant populations is undergoing a constant process of change. While labor migration remains the most prevalent form, particularly in South Asia and Southeast Asia, recent years have witnessed a significant rise in involuntary migration due to refugee crises, notably in regions such as West Asia and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America. Concurrently, the trend of global population aging has intensified the demand for migrant labor, with a growing number of developed countries relying on foreign migrants to fill labor market gaps. This panel aims to delve into the current status and trends of migration in various regions in recent years, as well as the latest advancements in relevant research theories and methods.

The topics in this panel include:

1) Regional Migration Dynamics and Development Trends

Since the 1990s, a number of developing countries and regions that possess both natural resources and the potential for economic growth have gradually become destinations for international migration. For instance, international population movements in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa have become markedly active, exhibiting a multitude of intra- and inter-regional flows. This sub-panel will analyze the main trends, the motivating factors and the consequences of international migration in the Global South in recent years, and explore potential policy orientations for future development.

2) Migration and Inclusive Development

Migration has played a significant role in driving global economic development and serves as a key driving force for social progress and prosperity. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development explicitly emphasizes the importance of migration in promoting inclusive development. In many middle and low-income developing countries, remittances from migrants have constituted a crucial component of the economy, even exceeding the influence of foreign direct investment and international development aid. Furthermore, migration serves to address labor market deficiencies and generates substantial economic value for host countries. By engaging in entrepreneurial activities and other forms of innovation, migrant communities contribute to economic vitality through the introduction of novel ideas and technologies. This sub-panel will explore issues related to the costs and benefits of migration, social networks, labor force structure, and their relevance to inclusive development.

3) Migration, Cultural Diversity and Social Integration

In the context of globalization, the cultural diversity and social inclusion brought about by international migration have become increasingly important. With the growing number of migrants, cultural diversity in host countries has significantly increased, but challenges related to social integration have also emerged. Migrants encounter a range of challenges in host countries due to cultural and social differences, which may manifest in values, religious practices, language, and ethnicity. These differences can give rise to misunderstandings and conflicts. The manner in which countries accommodate migrants from different cultural backgrounds and facilitate harmonious coexistence represents a pivotal aspect of migration policy. Inadequate cultural integration management may result in social tensions and exclusion. Conversely, effective management can facilitate multicultural exchange and innovation. This sub-panel will examine the attributes, identity, and policies of migrant groups, as well as the processes of conflict, cooperation, and integration. It will also analyze the different approaches and pathways to migrant integration across regions.

4) Migration and Security Challenges

The transnational mobility of international migrants and the associated security challenges have attracted considerable attention, exerting a profound impact on international politics and global security. These issues are of pivotal importance in the context of global governance. Issues pertaining to illegal migration and the status of refugees frequently give rise to concerns pertaining to national security, border management, and social stability. In recent years, many countries have implemented more stringent migration control policies. However, these measures have also sparked widespread debate within the international community, particularly regarding potential threats of terrorism and extremism. This sub-panel will explore issues related to nationalism, national security, social order, and migration management policies.

5) Refugees, Illegal Migration and Humanitarian Cooperation

The number of refugees and displaced persons has continued to rise due to a number of factors including wars, conflicts, and climate change. This has resulted in significant humanitarian challenges related to international migration. How to protect the basic human rights of these vulnerable groups and ensure their proper resettlement and assistance is an urgent task for the international community. This sub-panel will concentrate on the ongoing global refugee crisis and the issue of illegal migration, with a view to examining how the international community can most effectively address these challenges through cooperation.