Pt. I. Introduction. 1. Thinking about north-south relations in the 1980s -- pt. II. The emerging north-south axis in world politics. 2. The north-south problem: a systemic perspective -- 3. Prominent perspectives in the north-south split -- pt. III. South and north in the coming decade: some crucial questions of evolution. 4. The south in the 1980s -- 5. The north in the 1980s -- pt. IV. Three modal approaches to north-south relations in the 1980s. 6. The graduation scenario: integrating developing countries into the world economy -- 7. The global reform ingredient -- 8. The basic-human-needs ingredient -- pt. V. Conclusion. 9. Beyond the stalemate system: the necessity for choice.