First World, Second World, Third World
81INTRODUCTION
Alfred Sauvy, a demographer from France, invented the concepts of the world being divided into a "First World," "Second World," and "Third World" in 1952.
The First World was the world of individual freedom, democratic elections, private property, capitalism, and Christianity. It was therefore modern and prosperous.
The Second World was the world of socialism. It was marked by the complete subjugation of the individual to the state, collectivism, official atheism, genocide, and enormous human suffering.
The Third World was where the poorest of primitive peoples lived, with the daily features of hunger, malnutrition, disease, filth, and misery.
More recently, the concept of a Fourth World has arisen. This is a sub-population of aboriginal people mostly, though it can include nomads and hermits. It is of people socially disconnected from the global society, who neither produce nor consume and are largely bypassed by technology.
FIRST WORLD COUNTRIES
Originally, First World countries included all of those in Western Europe, as well as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. It is notable that these are the Christian nations of the world, especially the predominately Protestant peoples.
By the 1960s, Argentina, Chile, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Israel, and Turkey were considered full-fledged members of the First World. Since the fall of the Iron Curtain; Poland, the Baltic States, the nations of the Balkans and other Eastern European countries have joined the First World—having escaped the Second World.
The First World is noted for having achieved the highest levels in human history of life expectancy, literacy, education, and standard of living. One measure of this is the Human Development Index. By looking at a world map of comparative HDI, one can compare it with world maps that show the various levels of Freedom, Democracy, Free Enterprise, Productivity, Wealth, Health, Charity, and Christianity in the world.
THE SECOND WORLD
The Second World was the world of Socialism. In it were the Soviet Union, Red China, North Korea, Cuba, the countries of Eastern Europe subjugated by the Soviets, and parts of Southeast Asia.
Approximately 100 million of its own people were killed by the Atheistic, Socialistic, and Totalitarian governments of the Second World. The utopian dream that a godless Socialist State would bring mankind to a better, brighter future turned into a nightmare of astounding proportions.
Some may forget why the Berlin Wall was built. 15,000 East Germans per day were fleeing the coming Socialist utopia to live in the Free West—the First World—and this was quite embarrassing to the Socialists. So, they built a wall to imprison them complete with troops ordered to "shoot to kill" any persons trying to leave Socialist East Germany.
The Second World is notable for its oppression of individual freedom; lack of private property and free enterprise; lack of productivity; tyranny; secret police surveillance; religious persecution; and its replacement of God with the State.
THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES
Third World Countries included almost all of Africa, as well as South America, Central America, Mexico, India, most of the Middle East, and the majority of countries in Southern Asia. Originally, these were known as the non-aligned nations.
Third World Countries featured people who lived on less than $100 a year. A Third World Country is one with poor sanitation, a lack of clean drinking water, backward agriculture, minimal opportunities for education, without the Rule of Law or property rights, and usually low average intelligence.
It is a myth that the Third World was created by Colonialism. It was already the Third World before any colonizers showed up. If that myth were true, then the coastal areas where the Third World first came into contact with First World peoples would have been the most backward and uncivilized. By venturing up the Amazon, into the heart of the Dark Continent, or into the jungles of Papua New Guinea, one would have found Paris or London. But in fact, the farther inland one went one found even more primitive people who had not "evolved" in thousands of years.
Let us keep in mind that if Colonialism were the problem, how would one explain that the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand were all once colonies of England?
While we are at it, we can put to bed another myth: the wealth of the First World was built on the backs of common laborers. Labor is common all over the world. The Second World and the Third World both had far more laborers than did the First World. If that myth were true, the First World would be the Third World—the First World featured the fewest common laborers of the three worlds.
To understand why the First World became the First World, it would be helpful to check out comparative world maps.
FIRST WORLD, SECOND WORLD, THIRD WORLD
WORLD MAP OF INDIGENOUS INTELLIGENCE
WORLD MAP OF RELIGIONS
WORLD MAP OF DEMOCRACY
WORLD MAP OF HUMAN LIFESPAN
WORLD MAP OF CORRUPTION
WORLD MAP OF WEALTH PRODUCTION
WORLD MAP OF INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM
WORLD MAP OF HAPPINESS
PROTESTANT NATIONS OF THE WORLD (19TH CENTURY)
WORLD MAP OF GROSS NATIONAL INCOME
WORLD MAP OF AID RECIPIENTS
WORLD MAP OF AVERAGE INTELLIGENCE
WORLD MAP OF THE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX
CONCLUSION
Incredibly, while the Third World people yearn to move to the First World—and tens of millions have—there are people in the First World who think the old Second World of Socialism, or the Third World of "Noble Savages," are better worlds. There are Western intellectuals who teach at Western Universities who wish the First World would emulate the model of the Socialistic, Atheistic Second World; or even better, to create a New World Order where the entire planet is governed by a Global Atheistic, Socialist government.
The United States, a nation founded by Protestant Christians and based around Individual Freedom, Private Property, the Rule of Law, Free Enterprise, and Democratic Elections, has the highest average annual wages in the world at $53,000. The Gross National Income of the United States is almost triple that of the runner-up, now China, even though China has over four times as many people.
Americans are also by far the most generous people on earth—they give twice as much to charity each year as any other people. (Of all Americans, secularists give the least money to charity and volunteer the least of their time; Christians by far the most of both.) The point being that Americans strongly believe in Christian Charity and they are not greedy or uncaring about those less fortunate—as some Leftists claim.
In spite of all we learned here today about the world, perhaps 10 percent of Americans yearn to destroy their own country. They hate what it stands for, are disgusted by its history, think its flag a symbol of oppression, hate Free Enterprise, and are decidedly anti-Christ. They are obsessed with proving how oppressive America is to women and people of color despite the facts that women and people of color have never had it so good at any time in any place in world history as in America today.
One would think that upon reviewing the charts above, the public schools in America would teach children: If you take a people who are intelligent; imbued with the Protestant Work Ethic; have a Christian Worldview; believe in Free Enterprise Capitalism; and are fortunate enough to live in a country founded on individual freedom, private property, representative democracy, and the Rule of Law—the result will be a nation as wealthy and wonderful as America.
But that is the opposite of what is taught to American children in public schools and young Americans in college. A set of huge lies has been substituted for the Truth. If the anti-American Americans succeed, the light will go out of the world.
OTHER HUBS OF NOTE
2012 ELECTION GUIDE Be prepared for a spoof. Quite a few folks mistook it for a real campaign speech by a Leftist American.
A HISTORY OF MEXICO IN THE 20TH CENTURY (In other words why are Mexicans so desperate to come to America?)
GOD IS NOT MOCKED By Dr Samuel Johnson
NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION (A look inside the philosophies of the American Teacher's Unions)
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James,
A great hub to be sure and you know many of those who read your hubs get it. But alas, facts are not enough for those who believe otherwise and they will claim the data is slanted to prove your points. Even though much of what you speak of is right in front of them each and every day. Hopefully someday we will learn the balance of real freedom and responsibility. Keep up the good work.
I always wondered where they did get these terms to seperate the worlds. this was very interesting. I always feel smarter after reading your hubs. great job.
James- my little bit of resarch shows me that, that little happy-land occupied by heatlhy, brilliant people, out languishing in the big ocean i.e.Ireland, donates x5 times more 'Per Capita' to charity than the US !mmmm!
I could equally say ' If you take a people who are intelligent;(and highly read) imbued with the Catholic Work Ethic; have a Christian Worldview; believe in Free Enterprise Capitalism; and are fortunate enough to live in a country founded on individual freedom, private property, representative democracy, and the Rule of Law—the result will be a nation as wealthy and wonderful as Ireland.Could I not? Would it be less true thatn your statement?
We can so often believe what we want to believe ...or believe in the 'spin'.
Fact is we are both B-r-o-k-e !
If colonisers did not pilfer their wealth where would they be now?
Alfred Sauvy belongs to the past! Now we, know that the so-called democracies are tyrannies!
Very well written and gives me some food for thought. Not sure that I totally agree, but I appreciate and value your opinion.
James -- this Hub is indicative of the information I wish all people had access to and would read. It's informative, researched and beautifully presented. I feel you've written a profound truth -- thank you! Best, Sis
I don't see in what way it is informative since it is obsolete! Sauvy's parameters are obsolete now!
Seeing all the homeless people living in the local park, I think your ideas may be a bit off kilter. Never the less I am sure many people will like your hub.
James - Very interesting and well done. Now I know the exact definition of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd would country thing.
Since there are plenty of each type country, it makes me wonder why those who prefer the 2nd world style of living don't just move? Why go to all the work of trying to change this country when they could move to a place that thinks exactly like they do? That sure would make life easier on everyone.
Wow very interesting.. love this hub. I have not heard of this.. thanks for writing it.
voted up
debbie
Very well written thoughts and highlighted areas of truth. Thank you for defining the world in respect to freedom, wealth, and happiness (to mention just a few). We forget who we are and where we have come from as Americans. We still live in a country where we have freedom to pursue and live our dreams.
Great hub which presents a great wealth of information. United States of America's being in a list of first world country has become favorable for missions in reaching out the unevangelized countries. America has been blessed by God to be a first world nation so that it can be a blessing to many third world nations particularly in bringing out the Gospel to them. America has been a great blessing to the Philippines for bringing the Word of God to its shores. Thank you James for sharing this great hub here at Hubpages. May you be blessed today and always. Best regards.
Voted up and interesting. Considering everything you wrote and the mess Latvia is in now especially politically and financially I think we have just about sunk to Third World status - a Banana Republic for sure. But it's all basically the fault of the many occupations. Passing your hub on.
An insightful hub. Food for thought. I offer you my pun for the day: My living room is the First World, my kitchen, the Second...and my teenager's room the Third.
Stay happy, and listen to a goofy song.
Ann Davis
Well said.
Thank you James, for bringing me up to speed on all the worlds and their problems and limitations. I'm some what wiser now,that I read all of your info on these different worlds. Thanks for sharing. Godspeed. creativeone59
As I read this very informative and intelligently written hub, James, I couldn't help but think, do those thousands of protesters in the U.S. know the real reason why the Berlin Wall was built? And why so many Germans living in East Berlin escaped to the West? Probably not. They might view Socialism/Communism in an entirely different way if they did a little history homework.
Hi :)
Quote:
"Third World Countries featured people ..... usually low average intelligence."
Lack of education and opportunity are not the same as lack of intelligence.
Quote:
"It is a myth that the Third World was created by Colonialism. It was already the Third World before any colonizers showed up .... the farther inland one went one found even more primitive people who had not "evolved" in thousands of years."
But they were living a perfectly reasonable life. Maybe they think that it is better than our more 'civilised' lifestyles.
Quote:
"Incredibly, while the Third World people yearn to move to the First World ... there are people in the First World who think .... the Third World of "Noble Savages," are better worlds. "
Certainly many of them seem to live more harmoniously with the planet. It's interesting that we, running our rat-race in our concrete jungles, often yearn for holidays, where we can emulate a little of that more simple, less 'civilised' life-style.
Quote:
"One would think that ... the public schools in America would teach children: If you take a people who are intelligent; imbued with the Protestant Work Ethic; have a Christian Worldview ... the result will be a nation as wealthy and wonderful as America."
I am sure that there is much that is good about 'America' but there are certainly criticisms to be made. And there are certainly criticisms to be made of Christianity, which has caused no end of hatred in the world.
It is interesting that Europe ~ also 'first world' ~ is becoming ever more secular.
By the way, I am sure that I have heard that the label 'third world' is actually seen as insulting.
The maps were useful in drawing your conclusion as it was the same conclusion I came to after looking at them. With all the complaining about our country we ought to be grateful because we are still the healthiest, wealthiest, and happiest comparatively speaking.
I think some like the idea of socialism and governmental blame because it relieves individuals from personal responsibility.
And excellent eye opening article and an educational one as well. I didn't know the history of first, second, and third world and how they were classified.
The maps really drove home the overall picture. It's chilling when I consider numbers and how small a group we Christians with freedom really are.
What you say about public schools is the unadulterated truth. We are not teaching what we should. We are teaching "tolerance." Tolerance may have started out as a good idea but it has grown into a beast that tolerates way too much, too many things that are evil and dangerous.
James, you are a gem. You don't candy coat the truth and put it forth in a well presented way that is easily comprehended by all. God bless you!
Terrific food for thought. I can't help but feel terrified by what the future for America holds if these ani-American Americans rule. Thanks for this helpful information and links.
Hi James,
Very informative and probably too logical to attract more than token resentment by those who have bought the NWO line.
I admire your devotion to detail and patience for sourcing those maps.
I also confess a marginal envy at you having six times more followers than me, and 20 times more readers! :)
But then I do not have your devotion to writing, so the answer is plain to see, and you deserve your success.
Always good to read you...
John
Very thought provoking article! I shared your article with my son who is away at college- my texting skills couldn't keep up with the heated dialogue that ensued! You would be encouraged to know that he, along with many of his generation do, in fact, have strong -
Quote: Protestant Work Ethic; have a Christian Worldview; believe in Free Enterprise Capitalism; and are fortunate enough to live in a country founded on individual freedom, private property, representative democracy, and the Rule of Law—the result will be a nation as wealthy and wonderful as America.
This leaves me with great optimism that America's light will never be extinguished! God Bless and thank you for the excellent article!
A history lesson we can all use. Great hub! If we would all go back to our Christian values and help each other here in this country perhaps we could go back to the great country we once were. No man is an island as is no country. We need to help others to survive. This hub has made many great points. Voted up. Thanks for SHARING.
This is not a hub, it is a thesis! Very rich information. The maps are an incredible, credible resource. The best thing we can do for the third world, is to be maintain our strong economy. We should not be reinforcing the second world by freely doing business with them. The market will not straighten out their situation as the heads of the Fed suppose.
Hi,
I am one of a civilian of one of the third world countries, Egypt. As you know my country have one of the ancient civilizations in the whole world that may date up to more than 7 thousands years. You have said that the first world and Colonialism aren't the reason for the backward of the third countries. I agree only if you see they aren't the only reason.
But, I am sure that they are great and effective reasons for that backward. At first, they continue endless to steal our natural resources, even if they buy them. You know that we don't have enough weapons and arm. And, if we have they come from, for sorrow, the first world. So, we can't say no. In addition, the first world supports our dictators, and never calls for democracy except if they want something bad for our countries from these dictators. It is a type of blackmail.
You may have heard that there was a revolution in Egypt in 25 Jan. 2011. I can swear that no country of the first world has helped us since then. There are only promises.
After all, thank you for this informative hub. And, I know that you have worked hard to write it. All I aimed to do is to explain and show how the third world civilians look at the first world. We deserve more!
I'm sorry, James, but I cannot find the origin of the maps and the information that they reflect. What are the sources, please? Thanks.
I am sorry. I would like you to answer these questions please:
#1: Could the first world help us to be developed?
#2: If yes, Doesn't that mean that we would utilize all of our resources and there won't be no resources left for us to sell to the first world?
#3: And, if there won't be any problem with that, Why do the west do that?
James,
What a wonderful hub with a call to action at the end. Wow! You outdid yourself.
I have heard these terms, knew them somewhat but not really. Now I really know.
Instruction and thirst for knowledge must begin at home. The light of the world is knowledge only overshadowed by kindness.
Knowledge puffs up and love lifts up. If we are intelligent enough to support the education and training of others, if we value knowledge for the sake of wisdom not material gain, if we continue to give freely, we will grow and make humanity better and keep the light inside each of us burning.
Excellent work, James!
I've often wondered why certain countries and peoples are so stubbornly impoverished despite international aid, and you may have hit upon the answer.
James the homeless I refer to are in Sacramento where I spend a lot of time with my Son. They would not survive at Lake Tahoe!
"Let us keep in mind that if Colonialism were the problem, how would one explain that the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand were all once colonies of England?" - James A. Watkins
Well, I so agree with that statement.
For once, let's stop subdividing our world in to 4 worlds. Let's just help each other. :D
Thank you for sharing such insightful hub. :D
James, Your articles are always educational and informative. I think we should have better buttons for appreciating this type of hub. Thanks for the pictoral representation which brought your words into a visual frame of reference for me.
Voted up and all across but funny. Awesome article James. This was very interesting with all the percentages and maps. It was fun to learn all these stats. A very well researched article. I commend the hard work pal.
This is such an interesting read I must share it. Very insightful and I was surprised at some of the maps. Thanks for this excellent Hub.
I must agree that you have done some serious research for writing this hub.You've raised some interesting questions to compare the economical status of the first and the third world.I think the map shown for individual freedom in India is not correct.I've lived there for almost 5 years and I've found that as a foreigner I had more individual freedom than the local Indians with very good educational background.I would like to share with you the list of countries with the highest public debt:
http://www.economist.com/content/global_debt_clock
I've twitted this hub to my friends.Thank you so much.
Great job James...enjoyed the read:)
And every two to five years, there is a study that contradicts the former
I confirm your views that the wealthy western nations are not the primary cause of the poverty in 3rd world nations. Curruption caused by many immoral societal norms are at the root of the problem. Those in control of these countries on a whole don't practice Christian principles as the governing practice.
Bribery and corrupting are societal norms and the primary reason you can't solve the problem by throwing money at it, it will only end up in the wrong hands.
Great read as usual!
God is not mocked. Thank you James, for proving it. I have seen a great evil where I work. Proponents of threesomes, drugs, alcohol, everything is an end to their appalling desires and gluttony, it is a farce, but worse, I consider that these people are a reflection on America as a whole, and, and I feel God's clouds gathering. I am drowning in this sea of Chaos, and it's fingers of ignorance are everywhere. How can a nation such as this, stand? Much love, lily
Anyone would have to be blind or have some problem to not see what you say is true. There has never been a place like American and it is not what it was, no not since we allowed our government to start pushing God out. I always wonder myself why people care for people being "real" Christians, who are so generous and non-violent. Anyone can call themselves Christian but if you walk the walk and talk the talk then if God is for you who can be against you? Great stand to take James and I love you for it.
Hi,
In fact, I can't say any word except, you are great, even I don't agree with you in some points.
You have analysed my comment very thoroughly. And, this is a great hard work.
I know and confess that all you have said is true. But, in fact, this is only numbers and the realness is different. The majority of the funds and money you talked about didn't go for the Egyptians, our people. In fact, they go to those in authority or near the authority. And, I don't think that the donors have no idea.
I know that we shouldn't be very dependent; however, we need more help, such as the help given to Germany after the second world war.
Thank you.
You've educated me once again......... I am fortunate to have such a wonderful teacher~ K
Hello James -
An excellent Hub. I cover some of this in my classes, but not in such great detail and with such terrific and explanatory maps. Very informative. Sometimes pictures, and maps!, really are worth a thousand words. :)
However, I did find the maps of Intelligence disturbing. Responding to another comment you wrote,
"Extensive intelligence tests have been run worldwide for decades on all sorts of people. The results have been hush-hushed because they do not match up with the politically correct, multiculturalist worldview."
I have no doubt that information which is PC or unacceptable to a particular regime is hushed up or disappears. We know that happens, but your explanation leaves me concerned and unconvinced.
Because these phrases "extensive tests" "worldwide" "over decades" "all sorts of people" indicate testing done on such scale and in so many locations and over so great a time span that it seems virtually impossible that the "results" have been hushed up.
This would be a conspiracy on an absolutely incredible scale - crossing testers, nations, people groups and decades. Who has such power that they can repress research data gathered across time and space and nations?
I am no great fan of multiculturalism, but the proponents of MC are think tank sorts, talking heads, a few educators, and a few politicians...they do not all belong to any super party or government entity whose goal is to destroy all intelligence testing results.
Intelligence testing is a difficult discipline. Finding the correct balance between nature and nurture, innate intelligence and environmental factors (social, economic, cultural, familial, religious, political) which can impact the development of intelligence is a very difficult thing.
Also requiring close evaluation are the type and accuracy of intelligence tests, when tests are administered - at what age, who administers the tests, whose interests are served by the results whatever they may be, and so forth.
I did some reading in this area a few years ago, but I would like to do some more. Can you point me in the right direction, authors, titles, studies to substantiate the "intelligence " claims. I would appreciate it.
All in all, a very substantial Hub that all students everywhere ought to have to read and then pass a test on. :) Theresa













































billybuc Level 8 Commenter 3 months ago
To say the least this is an interesting Hub; the comments should begin shortly. I always enjoy hearing other viewpoints and since I have taught many of these subjects I found this Hub fascinating....thanks for doing your research and having an informed opinion.