In the eyes of the Western world, the East is a mysterious, uneducated, and undeveloped region-a concept known as "Orientalism." Edward Said, in his famous book Orientalism, shows how European colonial powers portrayed the East as the 'Other' and asserted their superiority. Once implemented through colonialism, this concept now persists multi-dimensionally as a tool of hegemony in the Global North. This hegemony is so finely intertwined at various levels of economy, politics, and culture that the countries of the Global South sometimes lose their identity-whether in the name of protecting their own interests, in the lure of development, or under the cover of Western influence.
The countries of the Global North have always exploited the resources, labour, and markets of the countries in the Global South for their own interests. While they once controlled these territories directly through colonialism, they now maintain their dominance through economic institutions, development agencies, and free-market policies. Organisations such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have created a debt trap in the name of development, making countries in the Global South increasingly dependent. Although these nations may enjoy political sovereignty, true economic and political freedom is often not preserved.
Orientalism is not limited to economic repression but also extends to cultural domination. Western media have long portrayed countries in South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa as underdeveloped, chaotic, and sources of violence. In contrast, the Western world is depicted as a symbol of rationality, humanity, and modernity. This portrayal is prevalent not only in international media but also in Hollywood films and academic discourse. As a result of this cultural hegemony, many countries in the Global South devalue their own traditions and attempt to reconstruct themselves in the image of Western culture.
The hegemony of the Global North is a subtle form of neo-colonialism that cannot be understood purely at a surface level. It influences everything from policy-making to daily life. The Global South is marginalised in economic agreements, development aid, and even education and research.
Resistance to this repression is imperative for the Global South. We must evaluate our own traditions and culture in our own language, based on our own reality. The definition of development and modernity should not be imposed but should be determined according to internal realities. If the countries of the Global South cannot recover their historical consciousness, they will forever be forced to define their existence through the perspective of the Global North.
Atia Ibnat Rifah
Student
Department of International Relations
University of Rajshahi
