36-40, M
Jessichaos · 26-30, F
Historically it was cold war terminology and how far they were removed from the super powers. US and allies were first world, soviet allies second, everyone else third.
Modern usage more to refer to how developed a country is. It's not really well defined so I don't think there is an agreed upon threshold. This is a carryover because nonaligned countries in the cold war were usually defined by poverty, lack of resources, etc.
Modern usage more to refer to how developed a country is. It's not really well defined so I don't think there is an agreed upon threshold. This is a carryover because nonaligned countries in the cold war were usually defined by poverty, lack of resources, etc.
CountScrofula · 41-45, M
SW-User
@CountScrofula It’s interesting because in modern usage, “first world” means developed/wealthy, “third world” means developing/poor and “second world” seems to have dropped out of usage entirely.
United Nations liberalized the definition in the Paris Treaty
1st World - Nations that will give money to other nations
2nd World - Nations that will neither give nor receive money
3rd World - Nations that will receive money
4th World - Nations that will receive money disproportionally to their economic stature (catch-up)
5th World - Nations who have no economic stature
1st World - Nations that will give money to other nations
2nd World - Nations that will neither give nor receive money
3rd World - Nations that will receive money
4th World - Nations that will receive money disproportionally to their economic stature (catch-up)
5th World - Nations who have no economic stature
helenS · 36-40, F
The original distinction was "old world" (= Europe, Africa, Asia) and "new world" (=America, essentially).
As @CountScrofula already said, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd world distinction arose in the cold war; 1st world = NATO and allies; second world = Warsaw Pact countries; 3rd world countries are those that are neither aligned with NATO or Warsaw Pact.
As @CountScrofula already said, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd world distinction arose in the cold war; 1st world = NATO and allies; second world = Warsaw Pact countries; 3rd world countries are those that are neither aligned with NATO or Warsaw Pact.
Thevy29 · 41-45, M
After the Second World War, the world split into two major geopolitical blocs and spheres of influence with conflicting political views about government and the right society. ... The remaining three-quarters of the world population, countries that did not belong to either bloc, were considered "Third World."
SteelHands · 61-69, M
Those are only descriptional terms. Heirarchies are the long term results of the natural struggles and successes of population groups.
The three state description is an abbreviated means of addressing three prominent characteristics of wholesomeness in economic, political and societal continuities.
The three state description is an abbreviated means of addressing three prominent characteristics of wholesomeness in economic, political and societal continuities.
JoeyFoxx · 56-60, M
This is a Cold War era contruct that has become increasingly outdated.
It's based on strategic alliances between US and Western Europe (First World) vs the Soviet countries (Second World) and then everyone else (Third World)
Given that the Soviet Union has been abolished, Second World is irrelevant.
It's based on strategic alliances between US and Western Europe (First World) vs the Soviet countries (Second World) and then everyone else (Third World)
Given that the Soviet Union has been abolished, Second World is irrelevant.
DeWayfarer · 61-69, M
While it's true that those terms originated with the cold war. The "third world power" has become a slur of sorts reffing to those countries that didn't have the economic power to oppose Russia.
Basically, if they do not have an industrial economic base they were not worth anything.
The slur is still being used today for poor countries.
Basically, if they do not have an industrial economic base they were not worth anything.
The slur is still being used today for poor countries.
