Third World

The term emerged just after the Second World War to define those countries which neither aligned with the West (capitalist, democratic countries) nor with the East (Communist Bloc). In this sense, third world countries are those countries which are neither capitalist nor communist. In general political discourse, however, the term is often used to refer to those countries which have not yet attained substantial social, political, or economic development. Examples of third world countries include Yemen, Somalia, Niger, and Bangladesh - some of the poorest nations in the world where poverty is widespread, and basic human rights and freedoms are not fully protected.