The 21st century witnesses the emergence of a new type of middle powers in the international system, which results not only in the distribution of material (productive, technological, financial, commercial) and immaterial (cultural production, norms diffusion, diplomacy, soft power) resources at a global level. As a matter of fact, middle powers such as India, Brazil, South Africa, Turkey and Mexico tend to take on new responsibilities in the promotion of international development. Therefore, a new range of possibilities appear to widen the scope for participation of non traditional actors in international development cooperation schemes, including technical assistance, exchange of public policy experiences, debt-relief programmes, support for infrastructure, development projects and funds. What are the historical origins of South-South cooperation? What sort of competition and challenges can it steer between developed countries and emerging powers? In what terms can North-South and South-South cooperation be seen as complementary in the promotion of a capitalist economic system? What are the linkages between an announced South-South cooperation and national foreign policy priorities of these emerging powers? What are the particularities of South-South cooperation in terms of its cultural practices, political discourses, social visions and institutional arrangements? These are the main issues that this panel aims to understand, debate and critically analyze.

www.ipsa.org/my-ipsa/events/madrid2012/panel/south-south-cooperatio...