Classification of countries in the development concept

STUDENT NUMBER: 50109715 NAME: NOZANDULELA SAMELA


MODULE CODE: DVA1501 MODULE TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO
DEVELOPMENT STUDIES


DUE DATE: 29 03 2022 UNIQUE NUMBER: 897350


SEMESTER: 01 ASSIGNMENT #: 03
TITLE: Discuss the classification of countries by explaining the concepts 'North' and
'South', 'First', 'Second' and 'Third World', 'developed', 'developing', 'least developed',
and 'emerging'.




Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 2
2. THE “NORTH” AND “SOUTH” CLASSIFICATION ........................................................................ 2
2.1. THE CLASSIFICATION OF COUNTRIES AS GLOBAL NORTH AND GLOBAL SOUTH...... 2
2.2. THE “NORTH” “SOUTH” DIVIDE ................................................................................................. 3
3. THE 'FIRST', 'SECOND' OR 'THIRD WORLD' COUNTRIES ......................................................... 4
3.1. BACKGROUND TO THE REFERENCE 'FIRST', 'SECOND' OR 'THIRD WORLD'
COUNTRIES.................................................................................................................................................... 4
3.2. MODERN DAY RELEVANCE OF “FIRST WORLD” AND “SECOND WORLD” ................... 4
4. MODERN DAY CLASSIFICATIONS ................................................................................................ 5
4.1. 'DEVELOPED', 'DEVELOPING', 'LEAST DEVELOPED', AND 'EMERGING' ECONOMIES.. 5
4.2. THE CLASSIFICATION OF “EMERGING” AND “LEAST DEVELOPED NATIONS” ............. 5
5. THE CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................... 6
6. BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................................................................................................ 7

, 1. INTRODUCTION


People have always had the need to define concepts to better understand their
environment. This is true with the concept of distinguishing between different parts of
the world and what life realities are in various regions and countries. In my opinion,
this is essential to help the world identify problem and tailor make solutions befitting
for different conditions. Clarity and understanding are essential to make a lasting,
positive difference in the lives of others.


In this document, we will be discussing the classification of countries by explaining
the concepts 'North' and 'South', 'First', 'Second' and 'Third World', 'developed',
'developing', 'least developed', and 'emerging'. We will be taking a bird’s eye view on
why some countries are referred to as the “North” or the “South” and how this bares
no true reference to geological placement in terms of the northern and southern
hemispheres.


We will also be looking at the 'developed', 'developing', 'least developed', and
'emerging' classification, the origins and validity of these concepts and discuss the
evolution of the dominant idea of development.



2. THE “NORTH” AND “SOUTH” CLASSIFICATION

2.1. THE CLASSIFICATION OF COUNTRIES AS GLOBAL NORTH AND
GLOBAL SOUTH


In the world of development the terms “North” and “South” are used to define the
economic disparities between richer “the North” and poorer “the South” countries.
It is clear that there are majour differences in countries of the world, most countries
in the “North” are industrialised with complex modern day infrastructure while many
in the “South” are non- or semi-industrialised.


We also need to keep in mind that this North-South-contrast is very general and
imprecise. Australia is geographically in the south; but as an industrialised country, it