Country Classifications A north/south model of classifying countries Models for Grouping Countries in the World

Country Classification How many countries are there in the world? This question is not as easy as it may seem to answer. The reality is that while there are perhaps 193 commonly accepted countries, many are still in dispute as independent nations, depending on the perspective. For example, many nations of the world consider Tibet and Taiwan to be countries in their own right, but China would disagree, and maintain that they are provinces of China. So what determines whether or not a region can claim to be a “country” or “nation”? The answer may depend on your perspective!

Country Classification

Country Classification Most countries can be grouped according to their level of social and economic development and have been classified in various ways over time.

Criteria for Country Classification Social Development is measured by characteristics such as level of education, health care, jurisprudence (legal system), life expectancy, rate of infant mortality, etc.

Criteria for Country Classification Economic Development is measured by characteristics such as community wealth and trade through per capita GDP (Gross Domestic Product), ratio of cars to people, per capita electrical power capacity, etc.

Missed it? Terms such as Developed, Newly Industrialized and Developing have been used to group countries together based on similar social and economic development criteria.

A Three World Model of Country Classification 1.) Developed Countries are considered to be socially and economically progressive and include countries such as Canada, the US, Germany, France, Japan, etc.

A Three World Model of Country Classification 2.) Newly Industrialized Countries are identified more on economic characteristics as countries that are in a transitional stage and moving from an agriculturally based economy to one that is industrial and/or service based such as India, China, Brazil and Mexico.

A Three World Model of Country Classification 3.) Developing Countries are considered to be moving towards more progressive social and economic status. Examples of developing countries would be Bangladesh, Haiti, Ethiopia, etc.

Disclaimer!! *It must be emphasized that just because a country is considered to be “developing”, does not mean that it is not culturally sophisticated with a rich and diverse history. Some believe that this Three-World geopolitical model is too simplified and prefer a Five-World Model.

A Five World Model for Classifying Countries 1.) First World Countries would be the equivalent to Developed Countries (e.g. Canada, US, Germany, etc.)

A Five World Model for Classifying Countries 2.) Second World Countries include those that were or are communist and such as Cuba, China, Russia, etc. They have social development characteristics similar to those of First World or Developed countries but their economic development characteristics are more like that of much poorer nations such as Fourth and Fifth World or Developing countries (or vice versa).

SECOND WORLD COUNTRIES Fidel Castro of Cuba Flag of Former Soviet Union

A Five World Model for Classifying Countries 3.) Third World Countries in this classification would be similar to those in transition such as the Newly Industrialized Countries (e.g. India, China, Brazil, etc.)

A Five World Model for Classifying Countries 4.) Fourth World Countries include those that are only in early stages of transition towards being developed. For example: Rwanda, Swaziland, etc.

A Five World Model for Classifying Countries 5.) Fifth World Countries show little evidence of even starting a transition towards development, often due to level of poverty or due to being affected by war or natural disaster. For example: Haiti, Afghanistan, Congo, Somalia, etc.

TASK! Read Chapter 2 Define bold, key terms from your reading Answer Q. # 2, 3 and 4 from p. 28 at the end of the chapter, in full and complete sentences. Incorporate the question into your responses.