Jorge Heine Jorge Heine

Polycrisis, the Global South and Active Non-alignment (ANA): Is Common Ground Possible?

Heine, Jorge. (2025) “Polycrisis, the Global South and Active Non-alignment (ANA): Is Common Ground Possible?”. Fudan J. Hum. Soc. Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40647-025-00439-2

Abstract:

Abstract This article explores the multifaceted crises affecting the world, termed “polycrisis,” with a specific focus on the Global South’s response through the lens of active non-alignment (ANA). These crises, the COVID-19 pandemic, global economic downturns and escalating geopolitical tensions—most notably the Russia–Ukraine conflict and the United States–China rivalry, have exacerbated the vulnerabilities of nations in the Global South, leading to significant humanitarian crises and economic hardships. It further examines the historical context of the West’s diminishing influence in global affairs and the rise of emerging powers, particularly in Asia and Latin America. The concept of ANA is presented as a strategic foreign policy approach that enables nations in the Global South to navigate the pressures from the great powers while asserting their sovereignty and interests. By analyzing the trajectory of international relations and the responses of Global South nations to current geopolitical dynamics, the article seeks to identify potential avenues for collaboration and common ground with the so-called great powers, while emphasizing the necessity of applying a nimble approach to foreign policy that acknowledges the complexities of the contemporary world.

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