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Previously the term Third World was originally coined in times of the Cold War to distinguish those nations that are neither aligned with the West (NATO) nor with the East, Soviet Union - the Communist bloc.  First World: United States, United Kingdom and their allies. Second World: Soviet Union, China, and their allies. Third World: neutral and non-aligned countries.

In modern era - It has been observed that, most of the western countries has mindset that, all the 3rd world countries are poor and underdeveloped ( Mostly in Asia - Africa).
China belongs to second world but they also have lot of poverty; western countries are unaware of that. In fact, many countries in Asia are developed or developing and their economy is much higher that European countries but still they think 3rd world countries are much poor.

What do you think about this ?

They are actually referring to the least developed countries in Asia,  Africa and Latin America. 

I think that now the division of countries is on economic principle. There are developed countries. There are developing countries. And there are third world countries whose economies are in constant stagnation.

I think there was this organisation called the Non Aligned Movement which was formed to specifically show that there were not going to take sides in the then Cold War, the term Third World was coined just for them but now its being used to show underdeveloped countries which are mainly in Africa and South America, countries always begging for handouts from the USA and European countries.

I think that now the division of countries is on economic principle. There are developed countries. There are developing countries. And there are third world countries whose economies are in constant stagnation.
I think there was this organisation called the Non Aligned Movement which was formed to specifically show that there were not going to take sides in the then Cold War, the term Third World was coined just for them but now its being used to show underdeveloped countries which are mainly in Africa and South America, countries always begging for handouts from the USA and European countries.
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In layman's term, the word 3rd World country means that particular country is rich, industrialized and more advance in technology. Example countries that consider 3rd World country are United States of America, Russia, Korea, China etc.

Really mate ? Are you serious ?

Ever since I was young, I've always known that First World = rich and Third World = poor. It haven't occurred to me back then why I don't here about Second World countries. I only found out much later that the terms arose from during the Cold War.

I think the meaning change for First World was apt since up until now these are highly-developed countries. What about Third World though? I don't remember the members of the non-aligned movement but I believe Egypt was there. Did the member end up asking for economic assistance eventually?


He got it the other way around, hehehe.

In the past , division of countries had to be its political and social choices but now This division has to be determined to their economic power. Tht's why African, Latin American and Most of the Asian countries are accepted as  third world countries.

It's a purely economic term, which, unfortunately, triggers a widening gap in culture and education

Almost all of the third world countries are poor. But I am not sure about small nations such as Brunei and Qatar. Are they third world nations, or part of the first world? But if you are talking about nations such as India, Cambodia, Kenya, Bangladesh and Myanmar, then they are definitely poor. And I have no doubt that they are third world nations.

For me, the notion of "third world countries" is those countries where a simple person can not afford to buy normal food, where salaries are scant and where corruption in power flourishes on a large scale.

Because of the complex history with the development of meaning and context, there is no clear or agreed upon definition of the Third World. Some countries in the Communist Bloc, like Cuba, are also often regarded as the "Third World".because many of the Third World countries are very poor, and non-industrial, it becomes stereotyped to refer to poor countries as "third world countries", but "Third World" The term is also often taken to include countries with growth new industries such as Brazil or China.historically, some European countries are part of the non-aligned movement and some are very prosperous, including Switzerland, the Republic of Ireland and Austria.
Over the last few decades, the Third World term has been used interchangeably with Less Developing Countries, the Southern World and Developing Countries to describe the poorer countries that have struggled to achieve stable economic development, a term that often includes "The Second World" is the countries like Laos.This use, however, has become less favored in recent years.

Well, the same is true, the countries of the third world are poorly developed and unable to feed themselves. They have already accepted this and are waiting for help from other countries, only people are sorry. But nothing can be done about this.

3rd world countries is undeveloped basically, poor countries lacking infrastructure, good government control, lots of poverty and so on.

Actually in those poor countries food is a bit cheaper than everywhere else. For instance you're working for $1 per hour, but groceries cost you just $5, which is extremely cheap compared to so called first world.
The main problem of third world countries is lack of education, healthcare and hygiene in general. There are shortages of things we in the rich countries are taking for granted, like water.

No dude, this is what i want to clear. Countries like Ireland, Austria, Sweden, Finland, and Switzerland were non aligned during the time of cold war so they are third world countries. So its incorrect to say all the 3rd world countries are poor. If you are talking about Qatar which belongs to 3rd world, this tiny nation can buy 10 or more small size European countries - that much wealth they have. India has changed a lot in the last decade, India is the sixth largest economy in the world with a nominal GDP of $2.45 trillion but still they have to work hard to get out of the poverty.

It actually refers to as what you stated, the least develiped countries.  These countries were going to be developed.  It is like a low class people.  I do not know why they catrgorize it.  Maybe on the economy of one's country.  Our country is one of the third world country.  But thanks to our president, I believe we will become the richest country in Asia once again.

Agreed with you, thanks for sharing your views.

3rd world is now not a good word to say it is changed to developed and developing couuntry which is better to hear ...
i was once in a 3rd world country (philippines) but now we are address as developing country and it is much cooler to hear .. because we are really developing now and sooner or later we will be on that develop country together

Are you from Philippines or India ? or any other country ?

Probably from India. Note his post: "we will become the richest country in Asia once again". Before the Islamic and British invasions, India was the richest country in Asia. In some places, the streets were literally paved with gold and gemstones. But all of that wealth was looted by the Islamic invaders, and later by the Europeans.

Those terms will always be emotional and misleading. It's emotional in the sense that 1st is better than 2nd and them better than 3rd but better on what and why it matters ? So if you are developed does it means you are not developing any more ? If you are not developing than you stagnated or declining ? If you start to think rationally about the terms you than realize it is just emotional, there is nothing to take from that despite physicological warfare, like in cold war !!

Third World used to describe a developing nation. But it actually started as term used to describe a country's allegiance. Started  during the Cold War. Third world is a country whose views are not aligned with NATO and capitalism or the Soviet Union and communism. But today , we used Third World as to describe the countries where most part poor and underdeveloped.

Generally 3rd world countries are referred to countries that are generally undeveloped, economically would be the biggest reference of measuring this. As certain places can be developed economically but lack social development. A good idea of a 3rd world country is papa gunnia(?) where they still burn witches... and the best example for a 2nd world country would be india in my opinion. A 1st world country by almost leading example would be one of the scandinavian country's.

We all used to imagine the world of war films that show us how it was. But we do not consider the fact that the world and people have changed. Now no one wants to die for their country and why wars are fought by economic means, using terrorists on foreign soil.

I thought that the term "third world country" was obselete already, now there are just two kind of countries:

-Developed countries: In which its citizen -at least the majority- have a good lifestyle and can affort some luxuries. Also education, health and scientific invesigation are taken seriously and are supported economically in this countries.

-Underdeveloped countries: There no word to describe those countries but chaos and misery. They are characterized by having bad economy, health problems, deficient education, lack of food and a terrible government.

So, I think that the middle point between those two terms is non-existent but underdeveloped countries are like 3rd world countries.

3rd world cuntry is defined as the shithole where majority of retarded people come from right?  :)

Can't agree with you. We have a country called North Korea up there somewhere in the orient, and it has some 20 million+ people willing to die for the supreme leader. And a war in Syria is going on, which has killed more than 500,000 people till now. That means that even now, people are willing to die for their country and for their leaders.

Dude, there is no need to insult the people from the 3rd world countries. You should understand that, most of these countries were ruled by the Britishers for hundreds of year; they looted the wealth from these countries for the progress of UK and these countries were penny-less by the time British left. They have so many problems and it will take many years to come out of it.

Putting labels on anything is fine, its a way of determining and differentiating one thing to another. But saying that one thing is better than another is again another thing. I think the cold war fact is awesome. Maybe we should determine countries by those standards. Not because a country is poor or whatnot

I agree. Labels are just labels. And it's the truth. If your country was considered as one of the 3rd world countries, then accept it. And do something about it, to improve the things which needed improvement for the countrymen's sake and for your country.

Thank you everyone for sharing the information about 3rd world countries, I really appreciate your views.

Before the world was devided into that sequel
We the first world, they are the powerful country like u.s.a and some country they are one of the most powerful in the world..
The comes with the 2nd.. They are rich but not that powerful.. They are in the middle class of the world.. Maybe they are well develop and less poor.. Then the 3rd world country they are lowest bracket among all.. You cant tell that they have no capabilities because i myself is part of that world and we are not that less .. And we are good in the country.. But still i dont get why.. Now adays it is not good to use and they change the system.. Much good than before..
Theres the developed country and developing country this is much better because we all know all countries will be develop soon and in the future there will be one world with country united

There are no longer 3rd world countries that some labeled of... The tern has already changed to developing countries... That term was already obsolete and they are no longer using that term for so many years now... Like us.. we are labeled as developing country... I don't know with you... But that term was use when the world war 2 ended...

I don't think this is a term which is still actual. The world has changed so much from the time it was invented, that it doesn't make any sense any more. The world has become too complex.

Some of the third world nations are no longer in the "third world". Countries such as Argentina and Chile are no longer considered as third world nations now. And unfortunately some of the developed nations have their status denigrated to the developing nations (examples are Tajikistan and Libya).

Agreed with you, many countries are trying hard for their development but it will take longer time as there are many serious issues in these countries. Poverty, unemployment and over population are the main concern for these countries which should be addressed more efficiently by their respective governments.

I am locking this thread, I believe we had constructive discussion about this topic.