Foreword

In order to provide an international structure for the humane and scientific study of peoples, problems, and issues in the world's developing countries, with the ultimate goal of improving quality of life, the late Dr. Harold Isaacs, professor emeritus of history at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, GA, founded the Association of Third World Studies (ATWS), Inc., in 1983. The association now has a global membership and chapters in South Asia and Africa. In the summer of 2016, following a vote of the members of the association, ATWS was renamed the Association of Global South Studies (AGSS).

As ATWS, the association began its history as an institution in 1991 when, under the newly ratified ATWS constitution, elected officials assumed responsibility for the management of the organization. Since 1992, the executive headquarters have been located at Georgia Southern University (1992–2003), Mississippi State University (2003–2006), and Louisiana State University-Shreveport (2006–). Due to the dedicated and energetic leadership of Zia H. Hashmi and Paul Rodell at Georgia Southern, Shu-hui Wu at Mississippi State, and William Pederson at LSUS, AGSS has made great progress as a global, professional organization. In 1995, the United Nations recognized the success of AGSS by granting it UN consultative status, thus enabling the association to increase its direct impact on world development. AGSS has an established website on the internet at http://apps.gsw.edu/atws/. This site will soon be revamped totally. Membership in AGSS is open to any person interested in studying the developing countries. Yearly membership dues are $60.00, which includes an annual subscription to JGSS. The yearly subscription rate is $60.00; single copies are $30.00. Discounts are available for students and those living in the developing countries. Membership and forms may be obtained by writing to the Association of Global South Studies, Inc., P.O. Box 1893, Starkville, MS, 39760. Journal of Global South Studies (Spring 2018) Individuals interested in submitting articles to be considered, or refereed, for publication by the JGSS Board of Editors, should write to the editor, Dr. Gary Kline, at the above address. Alternatively, manuscripts may be sent to the editor via email: gary.kline@gsw.edu.

Articles appearing in this journal are abstracted and indexed in the International Bibliography of Periodical Literature, the International Bibliography of Book Reviews, the International Bibliography of the Social Sciences, International Political Science Abstracts, Political Science Abstracts, Sociological Abstracts, Linguistics and Language Behavior Abstracts, Historical Abstracts and America: History and Life, Periodica Islamica, A Matter of Fact, Media Review, Consumers Index, Social Sciences Index, University Microfilms, Inc., PAIS Indexes, and CAB International (CABI).

On behalf of all AGSS members and JGSS subscribers worldwide, the editor would like to express his gratitude to the associate editors of the journal. Without the dedication and superlative scholarship, skills, and abilities of Yi Sun (Asia), Peter Dumbuya (Africa), Michael Hall (Book Reviews), Jacek Lubecki (Middle East), Ryan Alexander (Latin America), and Jason Strakes (Eurasia), JGSS would not enjoy its present scope and quality.

Sincere appreciation and thanks are also extended to Sara Abernathy, our very able editorial assistant. She has contributed very significantly to improving the quality of our journal. We also wish to thank Georgia Southwestern State University and the GSW Foundation for their continuing financial support for our journal. As our home institution, their commitment has both material and spiritual importance for us. Last but not least, Lauren Phillips, journals manager for University of Florida Press, deserves enthusiastic thanks and praise for her excellent production work and assistance.