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Integration problems of political and economic associations in the Global South

Grafov D.B.,

Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, graftvc@mail.ru

elibrary_id: 816320 | ORCID: 0000-0002-7334-5398 |

Article received: 2025.02.28 13:52. Accepted: 2025.10.17 13:52


DOI: 10.17976/jpps/2026.01.05
EDN: DKSCIV

Rubric: Theme of the issue: The Global South as a subject of political research

For citation:

Grafov D.B. Integration problems of political and economic associations in the Global South. – Polis. Political Studies. 2026. No. 1. https://doi.org/10.17976/jpps/2026.01.05. EDN: DKSCIV (In Russ.)

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to identify the factors influencing integration processes among countries commonly considered to be part of the Global South, as well as to analyze the reasons for the weakening of integration processes, difficulties in reconciling interests, and a shift away from cooperative behavior among participants. The findings show that participants in military-political and economic alliances can change the vector of integration when the balance of interests shifts, especially under the influence of external actors. An open political system allows external forces to weaken integration, shift the political agenda, and provoke or exacerbate conflicts with neighboring countries. An effective way to combat the integration of the Global South is to offer a choice between preferences and benefits, on the one hand, and security threats, economic losses, and sanctions, on the other. The main factor is the ability to influence the balance between expectations of losses and hopes for benefits. This is clearly demonstrated by the effectiveness of secondary sanctions based on the fear of consequences.

Keywords

integration, CSTO, EAEU, BRICS, Global South countries, Western world order, balance of interests, benefits and costs.

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