POSTCOLONIALISM AND THE ENDURING LEGACIES OF INEQUALITY IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH

The contemporary global order is shaped by pressing international relations (IR) issues, including structural inequality, climate change, and geopolitical tensions. This study examines the enduring legacies of colonial rule in shaping global North and South dichotomy through the lens of postcolonialism. While few scholarships have explored these concerns, there remains a gap in holistically applying postcolonial theory to explain their interconnectedness. This study seeks to fill this gap by critically analyzing how colonial structures continue to influence global inequalities, climate vulnerabilities, and power struggles. The study contends that structural inequality in the global south is a direct consequence of colonial exploitation, reinforcing economic dependency and social stratification. Similarly, climate change disproportionately affects the Global South, exacerbating poverty and displacement, while powerful nations evade accountability. The study also argues that contemporary geopolitical tensions, such as the Russia-Ukraine War, can be traced to imperialist legacies and historical power struggles. This analysis underscores the strengths of postcolonialism in elucidating these phenomena, particularly its ability to deconstruct colonial narratives and expose persistent global hierarchies. The study concludes that addressing these challenges requires decolonizing global governance structures, advocating climate justice, and fostering equitable international relations. It recommends structural reforms in global governance, reduction of dependency on exploitative foreign investments and a combination of economic justice, environmental accountability, and political agency.