Digital modes of inequality are becoming increasingly visible in the hightech era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Developed countries are predominant beneficiaries of digital technologies, while developing countries continue to languish in the lower ranks of the global digital hierarchy. The global digital divide may be viewed as an inevitable outcome of structural dependencies and institutional deficiencies endured by the Global South. This paper draws on dependency theory and institutional theory to present a comprehensive empirical analysis of the evolution and current persistence of the global digital divide. It accords due attention to several key challenges confronting low-income countries, which hinder efforts to close these disparities. These challenges include digital colonialism, insufficient human capital and research capacity, infrastructural shortcomings, and financial constraints. Finally, the paper draws on empirical case studies to propose viable policy measures aimed at narrowing the global digital divide and fostering technological sovereignty in developing nations.
Share this article
CASS Opinion Roundup – May 2026, Vol. No. 0001
Print đŸ–¨ PDF đŸ“„
The West: The History of an Idea
The world is witnessing the collapse of the Western order, if not the emergence of an alternative one. The idea of ‘West’ as against the rest is still at the root of contemporary understanding of world politics. Georgios Varouxakis, a remarkable voice on Modernity and Nationalism, has provided the historical origins and modern connotations attached with the idea of ‘West’. In his book ‘The West: The History of an Idea’, Varouxakis has argued that the West is not an eternal entity, rather it is a modern socio-political construct that emerged in the political philosophy of the early 19th century and evolved with the passage of time. The book provides an in-depth historical analysis of the idea to determine the roots of its modern interpretation.
Space-Enabled Warfare in the 21st Century: Pathways for Developing States
Space has emerged as a distinct domain of warfare alongside land, sea, air, and cyber. Developed countries like the United States, Russia, and China possess offensive and support capabilities in space. In the shadowed expanse of Low Earth Orbit (LEO), where satellites operate like silent custodians, the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine transformed the nature of modern conflict. As Russian troops marched forward, the commercial satellites like Maxar and Planet, which are operated by Western firms, captured high-resolution imagery of Russian troops, providing real-time intelligence to Ukrainian commanders, unlike ever before.
