>I would like to comment on the terminology used in the discussion
>comparing industrialized nations to less developed nations. I have
>recently learned that the term "Third World" is a degrading term. This
>term implies that these nations are somehow inferior to "First World"
>nations. A better term to use is the North(Industrialized narions) and
>the South (less developed nations). In regards to the debate over where
>the poor are worse off the north or the south, I think it is important to
>acknowledge that there is a North in the South as well as a South in the
>North, get my drift? If there are any questions about the use of this
>terminology please feel free to write me, I have just recently figured it
>out for myself!
>Respectfully,
>Vanessa Vanderbrug
I don't understand this north, south business. North of where? I am south
of America but in an industrial nation. I have not heard the use of the
terms north and south to denote ?
Unlike everyone else I have decided that on balance I prefer the term Third
World. The reason for this is that I see this as more honest and shows
just a little of our part in the process. Why are these countries so very
poor, and disease ridden? Not because they have failed to 'develop', which
the term undeveloped implies. But because industrial nations like our own
have ripped them off with cash cropping and the stealing of their minerals.
We mugged them, they trusted us, and now we tell them they should follow
our lead and become developed.
I have similar problems with the word developing nation which is one often
used here in Australia. This implies that it is of greater value to be
developed. What does being developed mean? More pollution, more inequity,
more destruction of rainforest ect.
Third World is the part of the world we have used and abused. Calling it
developing or undeveloped denies the disease and destruction for which we
are responsible. For whom do we wish to change the label?
Respectfully,
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
"Interesting: Your people glorified organised violence for 40 centuries,
but you imprison those who employ it privately."
Mr Spock. Star Trek 'Dagger of the Mind'
