Global South and its debt burden: modern-day enslavement?
Although debt crises are not new, the Global South is being crushed by a debt burden not seen before. It is forcing countries to choose between servicing debt and saving lives. An ambitious response is urgently needed.
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The debt crisis of the Global South can cripple the global development and climate agenda – with catastrophic economic, social and environmental consequences. High debt burden has drained resources away from vital public services, while economic reforms have further cut public spending, wages and job opportunities. Almost half of the world’s population now lives in a country that spends more on servicing foreign debt than it does on either health or education.
In this course, we will begin by looking at how the indebtedness of the Global South started from colonisation and has been shaped by its legacies. Using the most currently available data, we will discuss how high debt levels are trapping countries in a vicious cycle where they pay out tens of billions more in debt repayments than they receive in new lending and development assistance. We will also study how COVID-19, the cost-of-living crisis and climate change has exacerbated the debt crisis and has forced countries into making impossible choices. In addition, we will assess the various remedies that have been put forward.
What will we cover?
- Overview of the debt burden - Debt as a colonial legacy - Causes and drivers of the debt crisis - Trade-off between debt, economic development and climate resilience - Debt relief and resolution initiatives and frameworks.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Understand the history and facts of the current unmanageable debt levels - Explore how debt burden is linked to other forms of injustice such as colonialism, climate crisis and gender and racial injustice - Examine the mechanisms that act to drive the debt burden - Engage confidently in public discourse on the subject of debt, debt relief, development and public policy concerning our collective future.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an introductory course and no prior knowledge is required. An open mind, a positive attitude and a willingness to engage in class discussion is all that is required.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will be taught with lecture, slide presentations and discussions.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs, but a pen and paper for notetaking might be handy.
Tariq Hassan is an associate professor and has taught at several universities in London, the US, Pakistan and Ukraine. He has a background in economics and political science with degrees from London School of Economics and the University of California in Los Angeles alongside a long career as a consultant across several sectors. At City Lit, Tariq teaches courses that link politics, economics and history, exploring big questions with deep histories with a focus rooted in the Global South.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/global-south-and-its-debt-burden-modern-day-enslavement341744Global South and its debt burden: modern-day enslavement?https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/g/l/global-south-and-its-debt-burden-modern-day-enslavement-hpc150.jpg5959GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/Economics/Courses/vm/Issues Facing Our World/Courses/vm/Climate change and environmental justice228511771677167217001369312285117716771653Although debt crises are not new, the Global South is being crushed by a debt burden not seen before. It is forcing countries to choose between servicing debt and saving lives. An ambitious response is urgently needed.002925369Global South and its debt burden: modern-day enslavement?5959https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/g/l/global-south-and-its-debt-burden-modern-day-enslavement-hpc150_2.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekend2026-05-09T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHPC1505959Global South and its debt burden: modern-day enslavement?473859Tariq Hassanglobal-south-and-its-debt-burden-modern-day-enslavement/hpc150-2526Although debt crises are not new, the Global South is being crushed by a debt burden not seen before. It is forcing countries to choose between servicing debt and saving lives. An ambitious response is urgently needed.0000-Available|2026-05-09 00:00:00The debt crisis of the Global South can cripple the global development and climate agenda – with catastrophic economic, social and environmental consequences. High debt burden has drained resources away from vital public services, while economic reforms have further cut public spending, wages and job opportunities. Almost half of the world’s population now lives in a country that spends more on servicing foreign debt than it does on either health or education.<br/><br/>In this course, we will begin by looking at how the indebtedness of the Global South started from colonisation and has been shaped by its legacies. Using the most currently available data, we will discuss how high debt levels are trapping countries in a vicious cycle where they pay out tens of billions more in debt repayments than they receive in new lending and development assistance. We will also study how COVID-19, the cost-of-living crisis and climate change has exacerbated the debt crisis and has forced countries into making impossible choices. In addition, we will assess the various remedies that have been put forward.Although debt crises are not new, the Global South is being crushed by a debt burden not seen before. It is forcing countries to choose between servicing debt and saving lives. An ambitious response is urgently needed.- Overview of the debt burden <br/>- Debt as a colonial legacy<br/>- Causes and drivers of the debt crisis<br/>- Trade-off between debt, economic development and climate resilience<br/>- Debt relief and resolution initiatives and frameworks.- Understand the history and facts of the current unmanageable debt levels<br/>- Explore how debt burden is linked to other forms of injustice such as colonialism, climate crisis and gender and racial injustice<br/>- Examine the mechanisms that act to drive the debt burden<br/>- Engage confidently in public discourse on the subject of debt, debt relief, development and public policy concerning our collective future.This is an introductory course and no prior knowledge is required. An open mind, a positive attitude and a willingness to engage in class discussion is all that is required.The course will be taught with lecture, slide presentations and discussions.There are no additional costs, but a pen and paper for notetaking might be handy.<p>Please ask your tutor or explore the <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/politics-and-world-affairs/economics">economics section on our website</a> for related courses.</p>Politics & economicsEconomicsvirtual475938HPC150NONESat09/05/26 - 16/05/2610:30 - 13:1510:3013:152 sessions (over 2 weeks)21 to 4 weeksWeekendKSKeeley StreetTariq HassanAvailable courses2026-05-09T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeMay 2026Culture, history & humanities5959Global South and its debt burden: modern-day enslavement?global-south-and-its-debt-burden-modern-day-enslavement/hpc150-2526Although debt crises are not new, the Global South is being crushed by a debt burden not seen before. It is forcing countries to choose between servicing debt and saving lives. An ambitious response is urgently needed.0000-Available|2026-05-09 00:00:00The debt crisis of the Global South can cripple the global development and climate agenda – with catastrophic economic, social and environmental consequences. High debt burden has drained resources away from vital public services, while economic reforms have further cut public spending, wages and job opportunities. Almost half of the world’s population now lives in a country that spends more on servicing foreign debt than it does on either health or education.<br/><br/>In this course, we will begin by looking at how the indebtedness of the Global South started from colonisation and has been shaped by its legacies. Using the most currently available data, we will discuss how high debt levels are trapping countries in a vicious cycle where they pay out tens of billions more in debt repayments than they receive in new lending and development assistance. We will also study how COVID-19, the cost-of-living crisis and climate change has exacerbated the debt crisis and has forced countries into making impossible choices. In addition, we will assess the various remedies that have been put forward.Although debt crises are not new, the Global South is being crushed by a debt burden not seen before. It is forcing countries to choose between servicing debt and saving lives. An ambitious response is urgently needed.- Overview of the debt burden <br/>- Debt as a colonial legacy<br/>- Causes and drivers of the debt crisis<br/>- Trade-off between debt, economic development and climate resilience<br/>- Debt relief and resolution initiatives and frameworks.- Understand the history and facts of the current unmanageable debt levels<br/>- Explore how debt burden is linked to other forms of injustice such as colonialism, climate crisis and gender and racial injustice<br/>- Examine the mechanisms that act to drive the debt burden<br/>- Engage confidently in public discourse on the subject of debt, debt relief, development and public policy concerning our collective future.This is an introductory course and no prior knowledge is required. An open mind, a positive attitude and a willingness to engage in class discussion is all that is required.The course will be taught with lecture, slide presentations and discussions.There are no additional costs, but a pen and paper for notetaking might be handy.<p>Please ask your tutor or explore the <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/politics-and-world-affairs/economics">economics section on our website</a> for related courses.</p>Politics & economicsEconomicsconfigurable
16721677Economicshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/politics-and-world-affairs/economics1/2/285/1177/1677/16721/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/Economics
