Southern Solidarity? A Mixed-Methods Analysis of The G77 in the United Nations General Assembly

Abstract

North–South politics are a defining feature of modern international relations. Yet as the Global South becomes increasingly diverse, questions regarding its ability to maintain a cohesive coalition abound. Theories that highlight material motivations suggest that growing wealth heterogeneity across the developing world should undermine its solidarity. However, it is also possible that the South remains united due to a common worldview and the benefits of negotiating as a bloc. Using a mixed-methods approach, we evaluate these theories by analyzing the Group of 77’s behavior in the United Nations General Assembly. Statistical analyses of roll-call votes indicate that the group’s solidarity remains intact even as incomes diverge and that its wealthiest members are the most likely to vote in line with the group. However, interviews with G77 diplomats reveal that quantitative analyses overestimate solidarity since they do not capture resolutions that do not receive a formal vote. In fact, our interviewees question the long-term viability of the coalition due to its economic and political heterogeneity. Overall, evidence points to an enduring Southern solidarity that rests on increasingly shaky foundations. These findings also emphasize the need for scholars to consider how data are generated and account for those processes in their research.