ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses one general and one specific issue regarding South–South cooperation (SSC) methods and concepts. SSC research in the Latin American context, with an emphasis on both the role of Brazil and the Haitian case, was an amazing experience. When SSC is limited to government-to-government relations and the role of social entities like non-governmental organizations, social movements, professional associations and citizens is disregarded, this may lead to resistance from particular segments of societal actors in the recipient society. The unpacking of the idea of ‘similarity’ can help problematize ‘horizontality’ on different levels and within the state. This may open spaces to include local divergent interests in SSC research and may potentially aid its design and implementation. An alternative use of ‘similarity’ could focus on both resemblances and differences without a necessary negative characterization of the latter.
