Social justice in the Global South: Revitalizing fundamental questions

In this introductory chapter, we examine the concepts of social justice and the Global South in a dynamic fashion. We illustrate that the term “Global South” operates with dual significance: as a geopolitical emblem influencing global politics, and as a center for narratives of solidarity and resistance stemming from marginalized experiences shaped by centuries of colonialism and capitalism. This viewpoint underscores its role in generating region-specific knowledge and promoting analogous social narratives across varied societies. Then, following a brief political-economic history of social justice, we delve into fundamental inquiries concerning social justice, emphasizing the identification of beneficiaries and marginalized groups within institutional frameworks. Critiquing passive external interventions, we advocate for contextually informed perspectives grounded in historical realities to counteract capitalist intrusions into marginalized communities. Our approach emphasizes diversity and complexity and stresses the integration of micro-level viewpoints into broader political-economic analyses to enhance comprehension of social justice dynamics. This chapter urges a nuanced Global South approach that integrates political and ecological dimensions effectively.