Global Governance and the Global North/South Divide
This paper proposes a qualitative research study examining the role of global governance arrangements in perpetuating the divide between the Global North and the Global South. Drawing on International Relations Theory and Dependency Theory, the study situates the North/South gap within interconnected structures of globalized capitalism, unequal power dynamics, and historical economic relationships. The proposed methodology employs qualitative survey research with open-ended questionnaires administered to international politics experts, selected through purposive sampling, with data analyzed via thematic analysis. The paper also reviews relevant literature on sustainable development, transnational governance networks, and the influence of trading practices and political arrangements on underdevelopment in the Global South.
- Introduction and Research Question: Proposes study on governance and North/South divide
- Significance of the Question: Identifies gap in geopolitical North/South literature
- Literature Review: Reviews scholarship on governance, inequality, and capitalism
- Theoretical Approach: Applies IR Theory and Dependency Theory as frameworks
- Research Methodology: Outlines qualitative survey and thematic analysis design
- References: APA citations for all sources consulted
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What makes this paper effective
- The paper presents a clearly scoped research question and directly connects it to a gap in existing literature, giving the proposal a strong rationale from the outset.
- It pairs two complementary theoretical frameworks — International Relations Theory and Dependency Theory — to approach the North/South divide from both systemic and structural angles, strengthening analytical depth.
- The methodology section is specific and well-justified, explaining not only the choice of qualitative survey research but also sampling strategy, data collection timeline, and analytic technique.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates effective theoretical triangulation: by combining International Relations Theory (which frames global order and governance) with Dependency Theory (which explains underdevelopment through external political and economic exploitation), the author avoids relying on a single explanatory lens and produces a more nuanced analytical framework for the research.
Structure breakdown
The paper follows a standard research proposal format: it opens with the research question, establishes its significance by identifying a literature gap, synthesizes key sources in a literature review, outlines the theoretical approach, and details the methodology including sampling, data collection, ethical considerations, and analysis. References follow APA formatting. This structure mirrors the conventional IMRaD-adjacent format used in social science proposals.
Introduction and Research Question
The proposed study seeks to answer the following question: What is the role of global governance arrangements in the divide between the Global North and the Global South? Understanding this role is essential to clarifying how international political structures contribute to one of the most persistent inequalities in the contemporary world.
Significance of the Question
There is a gap in existing literature on the geopolitical aspects of the divide between the Global North and the Global South. Examining the role of global governance arrangements in this gap is important for understanding the role of international politics and relations in perpetuating the divide, and for shaping efforts to address it.
Literature Review
The Global North/South gap is characterized by the challenge of sustainable development and interconnected globalized capitalism (Horner, 2019). Economic history has influenced this gap insofar as it shapes the nature of international relations (Reuveny & Thompson, 2007). The divide between the world's richest and poorest countries is influenced by power dynamics rooted in new global governance arrangements (Sofie, 2013).
While networks are usually depicted as equal governance arrangements, inequalities within these arrangements exist and worsen the divide between the Global North and the Global South. Global governance arrangements generate shifts in political and economic relations between nations (Jang, McSparren & Rashchupkina, 2016).
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