A PhD thesis at Al-Nahrain University explores policies of dominance and dependency and sustainable development agendas in the Global South

A PhD thesis in the College of Political Sciences at Al-Nahrain University, titled “Policies of Dominance and Dependency and Sustainable Development Agendas in the Global South” by researcher Saif Dhiab Daeir, in the Department of Political Systems and Public Policies, aimed to analyze the challenges facing countries of the Global South in achieving sustainable development goals.

The thesis shed light on the patterns of multi-dimensional dominance (social, cultural, economic, political, security, and military) and demonstrated the impact of this dominance on weakening the autonomy of developmental and political decision-making, and hindering the building of a sustainable national economy.

The study showed that the continuation of dependency patterns deepens the development gap and prevents the achievement of independent national development. The thesis explored how mechanisms of dominance contribute to shaping collective awareness, restricting national capabilities, influencing societal values, and utilizing security and military power to ensure the continuation of unequal power relations.

The thesis reached a set of proposals aimed at developmental liberation for countries of the South, most notably: rebuilding the developmental capacities of the state, structuring national economies towards sustainability, enhancing human and knowledge capital, empowering good governance, expanding societal participation, and deepening cooperation between countries of the South, and establishing alternative financing and knowledge systems.

The thesis recommended that dismantling the system of multi-dimensional dominance is a fundamental condition for achieving comprehensive and fair development in the countries of the Global South.

The discussion committee consisted of:

• Prof. Dr. Ahmed Abdullah Nahi – Chairman
• Prof. Dr. Leila Ashour Hajim – Member
• Prof. Dr. Israa Alaa Al-Din Nouri – Member
• Prof. Dr. Saddam Abdul Sattar Rashid – Member
• Asst. Prof. Dr. Ali Hussein Yassin – Member
• Prof. Dr. Imad Salah Abdul Razaq – Member and Supervisor