Comments on: Putting the term “third world” to sleep http://josefscarantino.com/2009/08/07/putting-the-term-third-world-to-sleep/ Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:14:30 +0000 hourly 1 By: MS http://josefscarantino.com/2009/08/07/putting-the-term-third-world-to-sleep/comment-page-1/#comment-21933 MS Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:14:30 +0000 http://josefscarantino.com/?p=457#comment-21933 I work for a development org, and my sister just pointed out how offensive the phrase "3rd world" was, especially since I've been using it in the context of my Facebook posts. But I entirely see the derogatory implications of using "3rd" world to refer to developing countries (it could be interpreted as meaning "3rd rate, less than, not good enough...etc). Words do matter, and no nation (or person) should ever be viewed as being "less than" another, regardless of what you really think...so from now on, 3rd world is hereby banished from my vocabulary...developing country sounds more humane... I work for a development org, and my sister just pointed out how offensive the phrase “3rd world” was, especially since I’ve been using it in the context of my Facebook posts.

But I entirely see the derogatory implications of using “3rd” world to refer to developing countries (it could be interpreted as meaning “3rd rate, less than, not good enough…etc).

Words do matter, and no nation (or person) should ever be viewed as being “less than” another, regardless of what you really think…so from now on, 3rd world is hereby banished from my vocabulary…developing country sounds more humane…

]]> By: Cecilia Gonzalez http://josefscarantino.com/2009/08/07/putting-the-term-third-world-to-sleep/comment-page-1/#comment-19530 Cecilia Gonzalez Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:20:03 +0000 http://josefscarantino.com/?p=457#comment-19530 I am a citizen of Ecuador. I am Ecuadorian. I never refer to myself as a person from the "Third World", but I have heard many people talk about my country using that term. I have never in my life liked that term as it is derogatory by nature. I don't even like to use the term developed and developing, because it says that some at least developed than others...in what sense? Are other people superior? Have they attained perfection? Have they no more issues to worry about? Are they just basing this in terms of material wealth? What about the larger rates of suicide, overweight, killing of unborn human beings, drug use, STDs, etc.? Are the not striving to have holistic development of their people? When people use this term for my country, I also know they assume the land is only jungle, that we eat mostly tortillas, rice and beans. They are ignorant. I appreciate your efforts to educate people. I have also talked about this issue, especially with my husband since he is from the United States. I have also got in trouble with American and Europeans for not having the same mindset and not believing of myself less and them as superior. I would recommend the website www.gapminder.org which gives fact-based, graphical and easy to understand accurate view of the world and the need for people to change their mindset. Their moto is "Does your mindset matches your dataset". I see the need all over the world to treat each other with dignity, to value what we have, and recognize that we need to grow in many areas of our lives. We also need to humble ourselves. That is not easy as pride is human nature. I personally find strength to think and act right in God. Thank you. I look forward to reading your replies. -Cecilia I am a citizen of Ecuador. I am Ecuadorian. I never refer to myself as a person from the “Third World”, but I have heard many people talk about my country using that term. I have never in my life liked that term as it is derogatory by nature.
I don’t even like to use the term developed and developing, because it says that some at least developed than others…in what sense? Are other people superior? Have they attained perfection? Have they no more issues to worry about? Are they just basing this in terms of material wealth? What about the larger rates of suicide, overweight, killing of unborn human beings, drug use, STDs, etc.? Are the not striving to have holistic development of their people?
When people use this term for my country, I also know they assume the land is only jungle, that we eat mostly tortillas, rice and beans. They are ignorant.
I appreciate your efforts to educate people. I have also talked about this issue, especially with my husband since he is from the United States. I have also got in trouble with American and Europeans for not having the same mindset and not believing of myself less and them as superior.
I would recommend the website http://www.gapminder.org which gives fact-based, graphical and easy to understand accurate view of the world and the need for people to change their mindset. Their moto is “Does your mindset matches your dataset”.
I see the need all over the world to treat each other with dignity, to value what we have, and recognize that we need to grow in many areas of our lives. We also need to humble ourselves. That is not easy as pride is human nature.
I personally find strength to think and act right in God.
Thank you.
I look forward to reading your replies.

-Cecilia

]]> By: Josef Scarantino http://josefscarantino.com/2009/08/07/putting-the-term-third-world-to-sleep/comment-page-1/#comment-18544 Josef Scarantino Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:21:08 +0000 http://josefscarantino.com/?p=457#comment-18544 Here is an excellent post summarizing the most recent developments in the war on words I suggest everyone read: http://www.whydev.org/war-of-the-words/ Here is an excellent post summarizing the most recent developments in the war on words I suggest everyone read: http://www.whydev.org/war-of-the-words/

]]> By: Harley http://josefscarantino.com/2009/08/07/putting-the-term-third-world-to-sleep/comment-page-1/#comment-18085 Harley Mon, 21 Feb 2011 20:57:47 +0000 http://josefscarantino.com/?p=457#comment-18085 There are certainly problems with the term, "the third world." Of course, there is substantial baggage associated with "developing country" (same negative connotations). The Global South sounds better but is it more accurate? Not at all. In academia, there are many "third world studies" programs. Generally, this refers to poorer countries, but this is also inconsistent (often China, Indonesia, Brazil, and India are all included; all countries with fast economic growth). It could be argued that this refers to all countries outside of the USA, Canada, Russia, and Europe. Yet, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand are usually excluded. And what about eastern Europe? So, we are left with the problem: what are we talking about and how do we refer to it? There are certainly problems with the term, “the third world.” Of course, there is substantial baggage associated with “developing country” (same negative connotations). The Global South sounds better but is it more accurate? Not at all.

In academia, there are many “third world studies” programs. Generally, this refers to poorer countries, but this is also inconsistent (often China, Indonesia, Brazil, and India are all included; all countries with fast economic growth). It could be argued that this refers to all countries outside of the USA, Canada, Russia, and Europe. Yet, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand are usually excluded. And what about eastern Europe?

So, we are left with the problem: what are we talking about and how do we refer to it?

]]> By: natalija http://josefscarantino.com/2009/08/07/putting-the-term-third-world-to-sleep/comment-page-1/#comment-17506 natalija Mon, 17 Jan 2011 01:00:13 +0000 http://josefscarantino.com/?p=457#comment-17506 another term that is being used recently is "emerging markets" another term that is being used recently is “emerging markets”

]]> By: Josef Scarantino http://josefscarantino.com/2009/08/07/putting-the-term-third-world-to-sleep/comment-page-1/#comment-17299 Josef Scarantino Thu, 06 Jan 2011 14:34:37 +0000 http://josefscarantino.com/?p=457#comment-17299 Hi Lan, Thanks for your comment. If I'm not mistaken, most development economists prefer the term "developing countries" over 'third world' if not for more technical reasons than for the potentially offensive third world terminology. But I also know that some other alternatives are starting to appear, such as emerging markets, etc. that have a stronger economic connotation rather than the geopolitical connotation of the third world term. A wise (and logical) move in my opinion. As I mentioned earlier, the term 'developing countries' brings up a whole different set of issues. How do you measure a developing country? When is a country not a developing country? Are the <a href="http://josefscarantino.com/2010/12/27/south-africa-will-soon-be-a-part-of-bric/" rel="nofollow">BRIC countries</a> emerging markets or developing countries? I don't have the answers to those questions, but I find the discourse very interesting indeed and well worth talking about. Thanks again for chiming in. -Josef Hi Lan,

Thanks for your comment. If I’m not mistaken, most development economists prefer the term “developing countries” over ‘third world’ if not for more technical reasons than for the potentially offensive third world terminology. But I also know that some other alternatives are starting to appear, such as emerging markets, etc. that have a stronger economic connotation rather than the geopolitical connotation of the third world term. A wise (and logical) move in my opinion.

As I mentioned earlier, the term ‘developing countries’ brings up a whole different set of issues. How do you measure a developing country? When is a country not a developing country? Are the BRIC countries emerging markets or developing countries?

I don’t have the answers to those questions, but I find the discourse very interesting indeed and well worth talking about. Thanks again for chiming in.

-Josef

]]> By: Lan http://josefscarantino.com/2009/08/07/putting-the-term-third-world-to-sleep/comment-page-1/#comment-17287 Lan Thu, 06 Jan 2011 06:34:31 +0000 http://josefscarantino.com/?p=457#comment-17287 Is there a term that is unoffensive that describes poorer countries? Until now, I had no idea the term '3rd World' was offensive, I thought it merely a grouping of countries with a large percentage of poverty and famine ridden occupants. What terms are used then, that describe areas or countries with this that are not derogatory? (I agree with you on the subjectand appreciate your article. I'm not challenging your opinion in any way.) Is there a term that is unoffensive that describes poorer countries? Until now, I had no idea the term ’3rd World’ was offensive, I thought it merely a grouping of countries with a large percentage of poverty and famine ridden occupants. What terms are used then, that describe areas or countries with this that are not derogatory?
(I agree with you on the subjectand appreciate your article. I’m not challenging your opinion in any way.)

]]> By: Maria http://josefscarantino.com/2009/08/07/putting-the-term-third-world-to-sleep/comment-page-1/#comment-16713 Maria Mon, 13 Dec 2010 16:29:34 +0000 http://josefscarantino.com/?p=457#comment-16713 Thank you, your comment helped me to know more about this term that yes, it carries a negative connotation. Also, I believe that the term "developed countries" should be revised. Thank you, your comment helped me to know more about this term that yes, it carries a negative connotation. Also, I believe that the term “developed countries” should be revised.

]]> By: Josef Scarantino http://josefscarantino.com/2009/08/07/putting-the-term-third-world-to-sleep/comment-page-1/#comment-15527 Josef Scarantino Tue, 26 Oct 2010 14:15:05 +0000 http://josefscarantino.com/?p=457#comment-15527 Hi Danielle, Thanks for your comment. I'm not sure so much that the term is used in a derogatory manner consciously, but I do believe undoubtedly that it carries a negative connotation with it. I also know that I am far from alone in my argument, as many of the more progressive development economists and professionals believe it is an archaic term as well. As to why the media still uses it? My opinion is out of pure laziness. I believe it would take several prominent journalists to address the matter directly before we actually begin to see a change in the semantic patterns. It is so much ingrained in the media culture that it will take a long time to change. There is still that "us and them" mentality that continues to feed the lack of cultural sensitivity within journalism. And by the time it changes there will likely be pushes to put the term "developing country" to sleep, as there already is today. Nevertheless, I think it is all about awareness. I think we need to tackle this type of terminology as a part of helping to re-brand other parts of the world that may not be as developed as the United States and Europe. The world is getting smaller and more connected and the need to move across differences has never been more important than today. Best of luck with your studies. -Josef Hi Danielle,

Thanks for your comment. I’m not sure so much that the term is used in a derogatory manner consciously, but I do believe undoubtedly that it carries a negative connotation with it. I also know that I am far from alone in my argument, as many of the more progressive development economists and professionals believe it is an archaic term as well.

As to why the media still uses it? My opinion is out of pure laziness. I believe it would take several prominent journalists to address the matter directly before we actually begin to see a change in the semantic patterns. It is so much ingrained in the media culture that it will take a long time to change. There is still that “us and them” mentality that continues to feed the lack of cultural sensitivity within journalism. And by the time it changes there will likely be pushes to put the term “developing country” to sleep, as there already is today.

Nevertheless, I think it is all about awareness. I think we need to tackle this type of terminology as a part of helping to re-brand other parts of the world that may not be as developed as the United States and Europe. The world is getting smaller and more connected and the need to move across differences has never been more important than today. Best of luck with your studies.

-Josef

]]> By: Danielle http://josefscarantino.com/2009/08/07/putting-the-term-third-world-to-sleep/comment-page-1/#comment-15520 Danielle Tue, 26 Oct 2010 09:05:01 +0000 http://josefscarantino.com/?p=457#comment-15520 Hi, I think this is a very interesting argument. I am currently doing a research project titled 'Is the term the 'third world' still relavent in todays international order?' so this has helped me a lot. I am interested to know though whether you think the term is used in a derogatory manner? It has been suggested that to a certain extent it is a term used by more economically developed countries to suggest they are superior. Also, why do you think the media still use it now? Surely someone would of informed the media that the third world is no more or is it just a matter of habit in your opinion? Thank you. Hi, I think this is a very interesting argument. I am currently doing a research project titled ‘Is the term the ‘third world’ still relavent in todays international order?’ so this has helped me a lot. I am interested to know though whether you think the term is used in a derogatory manner? It has been suggested that to a certain extent it is a term used by more economically developed countries to suggest they are superior. Also, why do you think the media still use it now? Surely someone would of informed the media that the third world is no more or is it just a matter of habit in your opinion? Thank you.

]]>