Regimes of the modern world - Traditional systems of regime classification - the 'three worlds' typology
3 important questions on Regimes of the modern world - Traditional systems of regime classification - the 'three worlds' typology
How did the system of classification change during the 20th century?
During the 20th century, historical developments altered the basis of political classification again. The appearance in the interwar period of new forms of authoritarianism encouraged the view that the world was divided into two kinds of regimes: democratic and totalitarian states.
But after this a more value-neutral and ideologically impartial system of classification came to be. This led to the 'three-worlds' approach.
But after this a more value-neutral and ideologically impartial system of classification came to be. This led to the 'three-worlds' approach.
What is the three worlds approach?
The belief that the political world can be divided into three distinct blocs:
- A capitalist 'first world': industrialized Western regimes, first in economic terms; Wedded to capitalist principles; practised liberal-democratic politics.
- A communist 'second world': largely industrialized and capable of satisfying the population's basic material needs; Committed to communist values; One-party states, dominated by a ruling communist party.
- A developing 'third world': economically dependent and suffering from widespread poverty; authoritarian.
- A capitalist 'first world': industrialized Western regimes, first in economic terms; Wedded to capitalist principles; practised liberal-democratic politics.
- A communist 'second world': largely industrialized and capable of satisfying the population's basic material needs; Committed to communist values; One-party states, dominated by a ruling communist party.
- A developing 'third world': economically dependent and suffering from widespread poverty; authoritarian.
Why has this system of classification been harder to sustain?
New patterns of economic development have brought material affluence to parts of the third world, and third-world regimes are no longer uniformly authoritarian.
Especially the end of orthodox communist regimes has ended the three world system.
Second world and third world regimes were collapsing as a result of the recognition that only the capitalist first world offered the prospect of economic prosperity and political stability.
Especially the end of orthodox communist regimes has ended the three world system.
Second world and third world regimes were collapsing as a result of the recognition that only the capitalist first world offered the prospect of economic prosperity and political stability.
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