Nowadays it is very common classify nations, states or cities depending on its economic characteristics and the social problems it presents. The use of the term fourth world, unlike developed countries, seeks to name those populations that differ from the first world, that is, they do not have the same human development index.
These are usually based on the levels of quality of life for economic, political and social people, since if they do not comply with these terms they are considered below the poverty line and crisis. Therefore, if you want to know more about the countries of the fourth world in this article, what it is we will teach you.
Concept of a fourth world country
This refers to the entire population living marginalized, unprotected or at great social risk. It is also used to classify them depending on the percentage of precariousness that they are emerging or if they are underdeveloped countries. On the other hand, it was a concept that was given to the indigenous peoples of the different countries of the planet that were facing an imminent globalization.
This term was created by Joseph Wresinski to give an identity to the communities that lived in conditions of poverty and that received treatment as social or maladjusted. Under this concept, those individuals who have acts of solidarity with the most disadvantaged within a community, that is, they seek the means for their cases and voices to be heard and thus have equal dignity as every human being deserves.
What are the characteristics of a fourth world country?
To be considered within this classification, it must have considerable social, economic and humanitarian problems. One of the most common are homeless elderly, which are exposed to social economic problems. It is also prone that widows or single mothers do not have the financial means to survive and, therefore, the rate of exploited, abandoned or even prostituted children grows.
In these countries it is common for people to have difficulties find a decent jobConsequently, it can generate problems such as alcoholism, drug addiction or marginalization. These people are usually beggars without any official protection from structuring families in the nation.
The high rate of poverty is one of the most alarming characteristics, this creates little opportunity for employment and studies, generating scarce resources and a difficult environment. This is a frequent theme throughout the world, where there are struggles to reduce the numbers and create more opportunities.
Although these are characteristics that are attributed to fourth world nations, it should be noted that they can also be found in third world countries where the principles of fairness and equality they are limited.
What countries are considered fourth world?
In the continents of the planet there are countries with these characteristics, especially in Africa. One of them is Niger, which is one with the most limited percentage of human development, its inhabitants They live from the exploitation of mining and agriculturewhich is not enough to keep families above the poverty line in their society.
On the other hand, Zambia has one of the highest percentages of the population living in poverty, being 64% for what is considered one of the most difficult nations in the world. It has major problems of malnutrition, health and diminished access to drinking water.
Ivory Coast, a country belonging to Africa, has 56% of individuals living in poverty, due to this, they have a lack of access to basic resources. This impedes industrialized growth in their cities or the globalization of its market. It is common to observe well-distinguished social classes where some privilege things like luxurious cars, while others look for food on the street.
Also in a country called Central African, it is common to see that communities are exposed to major political humanitarian crises and that they live in poverty with minimal or no opportunities to emerge. Only depend on agriculture in a nation with a very underdeveloped economy.
Why is Venezuela a fourth world country?
He was one of the richest in the Latin American continent, reaching rank in the top five in the world after the damage generated in Europe because of the Second World War. He was also able to maintain his position thanks to the natural wealth he possesses, especially in oil exports.
However, in recent years it has had a political, social and economic conflict that has made it one of the poorest on the continent. In just a few years this nation fell 18 positions in the list of economies in the Caribbean and Latin America. It is ahead of countries like Nicaragua, Haiti and Honduras.
One of the causes for Venezuela to fall economically is the corruption and mismanagement because the government has adopted a price control and expropriation policy. Thus ruining the economic system still at a fast pace, which is often compared to countries that have been at war.
On the other hand, the fall in oil prices is also one of the reasons why the situation worsened. These economic problems have caused hyperinflation and depreciation of the national currency known as the Bolívar, rendering it worthless. Although the government has tried to make different currency conversions where it has removed zeros from the currency, they have not been able to stop its devaluation.