Third World

A historical and political term, originating during the Cold War, used to designate the developing nations of Asia, Africa, and Latin America that were not aligned with either the capitalist First World or the communist Second World. The concept carries significant analytical weight in discussions of decolonization, global economic hierarchy, development discourse, and geopolitical structure.

Claims that use this term

• The Third World has continually collapsed into competing national units
• The Third World debt crisis secured neoliberalism’s victory in development discourse
• The Third World remains a career opportunity for those it supposedly liberates.