At a recent conference, I was politely told off for using the term “emerging markets.” These days, I was informed, “we prefer” the “Global South.” I complied with the advice but, on subsequent reflection, wished that I had pushed back. For this is another in a lengthening list of linguistic innovations that seem innocuous at first, even polite, but in fact contain much mischief.

My interlocutor was certainly right that the term “Global South” is supplanting the old term “emerging markets.” A simple Google search shows the first surging and the second falling off a cliff. A term that was once confined to NGOs and the critical studies departments of universities is now becoming ubiquitous. The 134 developing nations that belong to the Group of 77 regularly refer to themselves as “the Global South.” President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan have also used it, as have the heads of the United Nations, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

QOSHE - ‘Emerging Markets’ Offers More Hope Than ‘Global South’ - Adrian Wooldridge
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‘Emerging Markets’ Offers More Hope Than ‘Global South’

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22.05.2024

At a recent conference, I was politely told off for using the term “emerging markets.” These days, I was informed, “we prefer” the “Global South.” I complied with the advice but, on subsequent reflection, wished that I had pushed back. For this is........

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