Introduction: Understanding Xenophobia and Nativism in the Global South

Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean share proximity in terms of historical experiences, geography, cultural similarity, collective aspirations, and their relationship with the Global North. In the last three decades, the three regions have also experienced the highest incidences of xenophobia and nativism. Xenophobia, broadly defined as the hatred or fear of foreigners can, in some circumstances, have an expression in violence against and the killing of Others and Outsiders. Nativism, on the other hand, is a deliberate policy by the government that tends to impede or exclude Others from benefiting from political and economic goods and services. This introductory chapter, therefore, summarizes the causes, effects, and implications of xenophobia and nativism within and across the three regions. This aim is accomplished by a collage of scholars from the region who-employing different but suitable methodological and research approach-helps to expand and deepen our understanding of these insidious phenomena.