188k views
4 votes
What is the chief advantage that a categorization using "developed," "communist/postcommunist," and "developing" might have over the "three worlds" model?

User Supakeen
by
7.3k points

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

Using "developed," "communist/postcommunist," and "developing" categorizations offers a more detailed and relevant recognition of countries' political and economic variations compared to the outdated "three worlds" model, reflecting modern realities over Cold War-era divisions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The chief advantage of using a categorization of countries into "developed," "communist/postcommunist," and "developing" over the traditional "three worlds" model is that it provides a more nuanced and current understanding of global stratification. Unlike the outdated "three worlds" model, which lumped countries with significant differences into broad categories, the updated classification recognizes the changes in nations' political and economic systems, especially after the end of the Cold War. Additionally, the modern framework is more flexible in describing the current economic conditions and political realities of countries, rather than adhering to labels rooted in Cold War politics.

For example, the term "developed" refers to countries that have achieved a high level of industrialization and standards of living, such as the United States, Japan, and Western European nations. "Developing" countries include those that are in the process of industrialization and may not have the same level of economic stability or wealth to distribute amongst their populations, often seen in parts of Asia, Latin America, and sub-Saharan Africa. The "communist/postcommunist" category captures the unique economic and social features that arose from the historical and political legacy of the former Soviet Union and other states with a communist past.

User Alex Emilov
by
8.2k points