Comments for JosefScarantino.com

Comment on Putting the term “third world” to sleep by MS

MS — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:14:30 +0000

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…

Comment on International and Comparative Education: Boring? Not a chance. by Midterm Assessment | Windows Live space

Midterm Assessment | Windows Live space — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:41:31 +0000

[...] Scarantino, J. (2010, September 14). International and Comparative Education: Boring? Not a chance. Retrieved October 19, 2011, from JosefScarantino website: http://josefscarantino.com/2010/09/14/international-and-comparative-education-boring-not-a-chance/ [...]

Comment on Putting the term “third world” to sleep by Cecilia Gonzalez

Cecilia Gonzalez — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:20:03 +0000

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

Comment on Putting the term “third world” to sleep by Josef Scarantino

Josef Scarantino — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:21:08 +0000

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/

Comment on Putting the term “third world” to sleep by Harley

Harley — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 20:57:47 +0000

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?

Comment on Africa needs an open publishing manifesto for academia…the time is NOW by There’s no such thing as a free journal « KM on a dollar a day

There’s no such thing as a free journal « KM on a dollar a day — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 19:54:33 +0000

[...] (for another take on this issue – and the problems with the academic publishing “business” as a whole read this great post by Josef Scarantino - Africa needs an open publishing manifesto for academia…the time is NOW) [...]

Comment on Putting the term “third world” to sleep by natalija

natalija — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 01:00:13 +0000

another term that is being used recently is “emerging markets”

Comment on Africa needs an open publishing manifesto for academia…the time is NOW by Tweets that mention Africa needs an open publishing manifesto for academia…the time is NOW | JosefScarantino.com -- Topsy.com

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 03:22:51 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Josef Scarantino and Josef Scarantino. Josef Scarantino said: Africa needs an open publishing manifesto for academia…the time is NOW: http://ow.ly/3C5sI #Africa #academia #openpublishing [...]

Comment on Putting the term “third world” to sleep by Josef Scarantino

Josef Scarantino — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 14:34:37 +0000

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

Comment on Putting the term “third world” to sleep by Lan

Lan — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 06:34:31 +0000

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.)