First World, Second World, Third World - Outdated and Irrelevant Terminology

[dantetheexplorer]

Although you almost never see people use "Second World", you will still see people using "First World" or "Third World" even in 2019.

These terms were used during the Cold War and are irrelevant today.
Style guides like AP Style discourages journalists, writers, copywriters, etc, from using these outdated terms.

These terms are archaic and you won't find any UN or head of states gathering using these terms in the agenda. It would be like having a conversation in 2019 and throwing in phrases "the cat's pajamas" and "the bee's knees".

During the Cold War, the US and it's non-Communist allies (Canada, Japan, South Korea, Western European nations, etc.) were referred to as First World countries. This was the Western bloc.

The Eastern bloc, comprising China, the Soviet Union, Cuba, and their allies, were referred to as Second World countries.

Non-aligned nations were designated Third World countries.

First World (Blue), Second World (Red), Third World (Green)

The current nomenclature for rich vs poor countries is Developed and Developing countries.

This classification is not perfect, and many academics can tell you why, but it is currently the recommended choice by AP Style and other style guides.

[Barrabus_the_Free]

You do understand that words and terms evolve, and the meaning changes with time, correct? Like how in the time of Shakespeare, "lawyer" meant "legislator" and what we call lawyers today were called barristers? Which completely changes the meaning of "kill all the lawyers" in his play.

Third world has become the term for countries that are basically shitholes (the only reason the leftards get butthurt about that term is because their hatred of Trump completely consumes them). They generally have poor sanitation, unsafe drinking water, an unreliable electrical grid (*IF* they even have a grid), rampant corruption, criminal or tribal violence, and an unelected. gov. Generally. Some third world countries are just poor, and it's because they don't feel the need to worship currency, they'd rather have strong families and communities, and live a laid-back kind of life.

Do you live your entire life according to what some 'style guide' or another has to say?

[dantetheexplorer]

I write for a living so yes.

[Barrabus_the_Free]

Why conform to what someone else says you should do? Why let someone else control your thoughts?

[ret04]

Do we really have to be offended by this? Do you think people living in Nigeria really give a crap how someone across the globe arbitrarily categorizes their nation? No, they don't. Neither should you. This is getting so ridiculous.

Developing nation isn't even honest. It's just another euphemism to make something sound better than it is.

[dantetheexplorer]

You see, the problem with your statement is that you assume that anytime someone suggest a better alternative to something that it must be because people feel "offended".

I don't feel offended. Just amused that people are using a term that is factually inaccurate. It's the same feeling I get when I see people saying "I could care less" or "I ain't saying nothing."

Your opinion and those who hold it is certainly amusing. If anything, YOU are probably more offended than I could possibly be :)

[dantetheexplorer]

Oh, and also, as I mentioned, academics do understand that "developed" and "developing" are problematic and have suggested terms that are more accurate for example "high-income" vs "low-income". I do honestly think that high vs low income is more accurate. But until someone makes it official, academic wise, it's not likely to be part of the nomenclature.

[ret04]

What makes it a better alternative? Like I said, it doesn't even accurately describe what makes them different, and neither does high, or low income. Income is but one of the many problems "third world" countries face. Look at Saudi Arabia's wealth, then look it's governance, it's culture, it's philosophy. It's a theocracy. Obviously quite different from first, or second world nations. It's not just about money.

[RussianNestingDoll]

I liked this👍 The only time I hear this phrased is to make fun of a whiny priveleged person. You know when someone has a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear? Or they are too fat because they have too much food st their disposal and they complain? #firstworldproblems

[dantetheexplorer]

Yes. that hashtag is pretty popular. Although I've heard people refer to poor countries as Third World countries when they're using it as a pejorative. Although, I suppose with Trump, the newly minted pejorative is "Shithole" countries.

[RussianNestingDoll]

I never call countries shitholes. I do call certain towns shitholes. My preferred term is sand trap though.

[RussianNestingDoll]

Thank you!

[MlleCake]

The terms are actually Old World, New World and Third World.

[dy8alexUk]

It is irrelevant as 3rd world country's use hand outs to outfit army's and not use money to improve poor people's lives. UK is rich country and yet has poor people that cannot feed there family's as electric and gas prices expensive. i say feed your own 1st

[Kurαȷ]

Yeah, next time I will be describing the life in Budapest to foreigners, I have to mention how the locals burn toddlers alive for being witches and hunt antelopes for sustenance because their country's agriculture ran by people with the IQ bordering the clinically accepted threshold for mental retardation can't sustain its population.

Damn the life in developing countries.

[JaneandJune]

I agree. “Developing” is softer but not that great either. And what people deem as first world doesn’t always have much to do with actual quality of life and contentment of citizens.

[zagor]

Sorry, but a lot of "developing" countries are falling further into the toilet. So the terms you prefer are inaccurate as well.

Also, First World and Third World have often been used as terms for stage of development.

[dantetheexplorer]

I'm not the one who prefers the terms.
Style Guides and the UN itself are recommending the use of "developed" and "developing".
As mentioned, academics acknowledge that these two terms are problematic in their own way, and that's why they've suggested "high-income" vs "low-income".

When reading a post, it's generally a good thing to apply general reading comprehension to determine whether the post is about an author's personal viewpoint or opinion or preference, or the author is referencing an alternative viewpoint put forth by others.

[LogicBomber]

Well if you compare any western world to the middle east... there is a massive difference. The west is developed and the east is a shit hole filled with nut bar bronze-aged ideology.
So there is a 1st world 3rd world difference.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

I always thought Philippines is far from being a first world country.

[ericclayton]

That's because the terminology described their alignment, rather than their wealth.

[curiousnorway]

@ericclayton, that makes sense. I knows the US is considered a first world country, but in my eyes it's a second world due a lot of poverty and social class issues. The other first worlds have a lot of things the US doesn't have.

[ret04]

@curiousnorway Not really, the definition of poverty in America is not the same as everywhere else. To be poor here, is to still be in the top percentage of the world. Plus there is a social safety net so that you don't literally starve and go homeless.

[curiousnorway]

@ret04, although there's food for everyone, there's still many homeless people in the US. There's welfare in the US, but much less than many European countries. The US has expensive healthcare too. And high prison population.

[ret04]

@curiousnorway There are homeless shelters in most medium sized town across the country, homeless people are not turned away from. Some choose to roam rather than be helped. Health care is expensive, but is mostly good quality healthcare and easy to access. Hospitals cannot turn away people who can't afford care, by law. Prison is high yes, correlates with the drug problems in the country.

[Wolframium]

Finally someone talking against it. :-)

[Meoir34]

very interesting take, thanks for sharing!

[PrincessGrail]

Thank you!!

[dantetheexplorer]

You're most welcome!

[John_Doesnt]

Nice take.
My name is Ninoooo

[WalmartFlipFlop]

Good work and thanks for clearing this up

[Giggletr0n]

What about the 4th world? The microworld!

[Secretgardenblood]

Good take

[grashopper]

china is certainly not 3rd world