ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that the left should support the collective action of states from the global South in initiatives that seek to democratise global governance and to redistribute power and wealth. It identifies three types of collective action for global South states: universal multilateralism, such as that carried out by the G77 in the United Nations and other international organisations; counter-hegemonic regionalism, such as that of UNASUR and ALBA in Latin America; and issue coalitions, particularly ‘producer and exporter clubs’, such as OPEC for oil, and potential new clubs for other commodities such as nickel and lithium. Recognising that states are still the main locus of power in the contemporary world system, the chapter argues that the left should not shy away from wielding state power because that offers the greatest potential to leverage change today. It is crucial to build effective coalitions of states, because it is only by acting together that vulnerable states can be shielded from punitive retaliations by hegemonic powers. Ultimately, collective action by global South states can lead to progressive systemic change, bringing about a more democratic and equal world in line with left values.
