The invention of the Third World

During the Cold War, a term called "Third World" was introduced to describe a new way of
dividing the world based on global politics. This division consisted of three main groups.
The "First World" included the United States and its allies. These countries were known for their
liberal democracy and capitalist economic systems.

The "Second World" comprised the Soviet Union and other countries that followed the
Communist ideology.
The "Third World" consisted of newly independent nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
These countries had recently gained independence from colonial rule and were still in the
process of establishing their own identities.

After the Cold War ended, many things changed around the world, and people wondered how
these changes affected the Third World. Some important things to think about are:

• Globalization: The world became more connected, which had both good and bad effects
on Third World countries. It gave them opportunities for trade, investment, and access
to technology, but it also made the gap between rich and poor countries bigger and
created problems for local industries.
• Economic Development: Many Third World countries became wealthier and developed
over the past few decades. Some countries in Asia, for example, became major
economic powers. However, poverty, inequality, and economic challenges are still a
problem in many places.
• Political Changes: The way politics works in the Third World has also changed. Some
countries became democracies, where people have more say in the government, but
others still have problems with stability, conflicts, and rulers with too much power. The
transition to democracy has been different in different parts of the world.
• Social Development: Third World countries have made progress in areas like healthcare,
education, and making sure men and women have equal rights. In many places, people
now have better access to basic services. But there are still problems with things like not
enough good buildings or roads, not enough good hospitals, and not enough good
schools.
• Global Power Dynamics: The balance of power in the world changed after the Cold War.
New important countries, like China, became more influential in the Third World
through investments and trading partnerships. This changed how global politics and
development cooperation work.
It's important to know that the term "Third World" is old-fashioned and has changed over time.
Now, we focus more on understanding the differences and complexities of each country and
region, instead of putting them into simple groups based on their history.

During the Cold War, the world was divided into three parts: the First World (led by the United
States), the Second World (led by the Soviet Union), and the Third World (which consisted of
newly independent countries in South Asia, Africa, and Asia). The United States and the Soviet
Union saw these newly independent countries as opportunities to expand their influence and
promote their interests.
Both sides invested a lot of money and resources over the next fifty years to achieve their
geopolitical goals. They used the Cold War as a reason to implement various programs, such as
development projects, aid assistance, trade promotion, and cultural exchanges. They also
engaged in arms sales to gain allies and strengthen their positions.
This division and the actions taken by the United States and the Soviet Union were influenced
by the belief in technology, free markets, and business. The Cold War provided a framework for
these activities and shaped the global political and financial systems.
Overall, the concept of the Third World emerged during the Cold War as a result of the
competition between the United States and the Soviet Union, and both sides used this division
to further their interests through various means.
During the Cold War, some countries in the Third World didn't want to take sides between the
United States and the Soviet Union. They formed a group called the Non-Aligned Movement to
show they didn't want to be controlled by either superpower. The Third World countries were
very different from each other, with different histories and ways of developing. Some had lots
of oil, while others were in places like Africa and Central America. This shows that the Third
World was a diverse group of countries with their own unique situations during the Cold War

The scope of development: DS and the Third World

In the past, the term "Third World" was used to describe countries that were still developing.
However, there was no exact definition of what it meant. This term became popular during the
Cold War when there were three main groups: the industrialized countries (First World), the
communist bloc (Second World), and the developing countries (Third World).
After the Cold War ended, people started questioning the use of the term "Third World." They
realized that it may not accurately represent the diversity and complexities of different
countries. It suggests that there is a fundamental difference between developing and
developed countries, which may not be entirely true.
The concept of international development has been evolving rapidly. Instead of viewing all
developing countries as a single group, there is now a recognition of their diversity. Some
countries have made significant progress and are now considered newly industrialized countries
(NICs). Others have reached a middle-income level (MICs). Additionally, emerging economies
like Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRICs) have gained attention due to their economic growth
and potential.

This shift in perspective acknowledges that each country has its own unique circumstances and
development path. It highlights the need to consider the specific challenges and opportunities
faced by different nations rather than grouping them solely based on their development status.

The Global South, emerging markets, and rising powers

Over time, the concept of the Third World lost its significance, and
alternative terms gained popularity. One such term is "the global
South," which emerged as a replacement. It reflected a shift in thinking
and recognized the division of the world between wealthier countries in
the North and poorer countries in the South, rather than categorizing
them as First, Second, or Third World.
In the 1980s, the Brandt Commission, sponsored by the United Nations,
emphasized this North-South divide in its reports on the state of the
world. This perspective highlighted the stark economic disparities
between rich and poor nations.
Another term that gained traction was "emerging markets," initially
introduced by the World Bank in the 1990s. This term was later
adopted by investment banks and fund managers. It referred to
countries with growing economies and investment potential.
As time went on, the term "emerging markets" evolved further. It
began to encompass a more specific group of countries referred to as
"rising powers." These were nations like Brazil, China, and others that
possessed significant resources such as oil and gas or had ambitious
national development plans requiring substantial resources.
Eventually, the term BRICs emerged, referring to the specific group of
countries: Brazil, Russia, India, and China. These countries stood out
due to their economic growth, rising influence, and potential as major
players on the global stage.
These evolving terms reflect the recognition of changing dynamics in
the world, with a focus on economic growth, resource demands, and
the shifting power dynamics among countries in the global South.
Common labels for developing countries and critiques
Different terms have been used to describe countries that are still developing, but each has its
problems:
1. Developing countries: Some people think this term is too optimistic or not realistic for
many countries because it suggests they are progressing in a certain way, which may not
be true for all of them.
2. Less developed countries: This label can be seen as patronizing, as it implies that these
countries are inferior to more developed nations.
3. Low-income countries: This term focuses too much on money and doesn't consider
other important aspects of these countries.
4. The South: Although used by some organizations, it doesn't accurately represent all
developing countries and can be a bit vague.
5. Majority world: This term refers to the fact that these countries make up most of the
world's population, but it doesn't give much specific information about them.
6. Post-colonial societies: This label connects these countries to their history of being
colonized, but it doesn't fully reflect their current situations.
7. Non-OECD countries: This refers to countries that are not part of a specific organization
called OECD. However, it defines them based on their exclusion from that group.
Groupings used by international development agencies
International development agencies use various groupings to classify countries:
8. Countries with low income per capita: The World Bank categorizes countries based on
their Gross National Income per capita. Low-income countries have a per capita income
below US$875, lower-middle-income countries have a per capita income between
US$876 and US$3,465, upper-middle-income countries have a per capita income
between US$3,466 and US$10,725, and high-income countries have a per capita income
of US$10,726 or above.
9. Countries with low 'human development': The United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) classifies countries based on their Human Development Index (HDI), which takes
into account income, health, and education. Countries are grouped as having low,
middle, or high human development based on these criteria.
 10. Least developed countries: The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
(UNCTAD) identifies "Least Developed Countries" (LDCs) based on specific criteria. These
criteria include factors such as gross national income per capita (usually between
US$750 and US$900), indicators of human assets (such as nutrition, child mortality,
school enrollment, adult literacy), and economic vulnerability indicators (including
measures of agricultural production instability, natural disasters, export instability, and
economic size and remoteness).

These groupings help international development agencies to better understand and target their
efforts based on the economic, social, and developmental characteristics of different countries.
Indicators of Development: A brief history
Over the years, the way we measure development has changed a lot. This happened because
people disagreed about what development really means. They thought that just looking at how
much money a country has, like per capita income, isn't enough to understand how well off it
is.
In the 1960s and 1970s, people started using different indicators to measure development.
They wanted to consider other things too, like how people live and feel. These new indicators
took into account social and psychological aspects, not just money.
Nowadays, there's a new focus on two types of well-being: universal well-being and subjective
well-being. Universal well-being is about objective things like income and health. But subjective
well-being is about how people personally feel and how their experiences differ in different
situations.
We keep working on developing indicators because we now understand that development is
more complex than just money. We want to get a better understanding of well-being by looking
at social, psychological, and subjective aspects. This helps us see the bigger picture and the real
experiences of individuals and communities.
Contemporary universal and context specific development
Indicators
The Human Development and Capabilities Approach is a way of measuring development in a big
picture. It looks at different things like how long people live, how educated they are, and how
much money they have. This helps us understand how well a country is doing.
There are specific indicators that focus on certain areas. For example, the Gender Development
Index looks at how equal men and women are in a country, and the Human Poverty Index looks
at how many people are living in poverty.
The Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals are goals set by the
United Nations to make the world better. They cover lots of important things like helping poor
people, making sure everyone gets an education, and taking care of the environment.

Besides these general indicators, there are also indicators that focus on specific places or
groups. These indicators consider the special needs and situations of different communities.
They help us understand development better by looking at local conditions, cultures, and
challenges.

There is also a new focus on how people feel and what they think about their lives. It's not just
about money and health anymore. We want to know if people are happy and satisfied. This is
important because how people feel is also a part of development.
In summary, we use different indicators to measure development. Some indicators are for
everyone, some are for specific places, and some look at how people feel. By using all these
indicators together, we can get a better understanding of how well a country is developing.