<p>Amid the ongoing restructuring of the global political and economic order, the development paradigm in the Global South encounters increasingly complex challenges. Traditional developmentalism has been pivotal for industrialization and nation-building. However, its GDP-centered growth logic struggles with ecological degradation, social fragmentation, and declining institutional trust. Neoliberalism has prioritized market mechanisms and global integration, increasing efficiency while weakening the regulatory capacity of the state and the foundations of social security. Neo-developmentalism attempts to address these shortcomings with macro-control and industrial policy. However, its effectiveness is often constrained by external dependencies and limited internal governance capacity. This article proposes “qualitative development” as an exploratory paradigm for the post-growth era. Rather than focusing on aggregate expansion, this approach establishes human dignity, institutional resilience, ecological symbiosis, and cultural plurality as the core objectives of development and promotes the transformation of development paths from quantity-driven to quality-oriented. By reviewing the structural crisis facing the Global South, reflecting on the limitations of the Neo-developmentalism path, and combining the preliminary exploration of value concepts and practical dimensions, the article attempts to demonstrate the theoretical potential and practical significance of qualitative development in responding to today’s ecological, social, and institutional challenges.</p>