Understanding the Purpose and Power of Men

A Word to Men of

Third-World Nations

he 6.7 billion people who call this planet home are divided into various categories. The largest sector has become identified as Third-World nations. The term Third World is one that is despised and resented by many who interpret it to mean inferior, poor, undeveloped, and backward. This term was coined many years ago by an economist at a G-5 meeting in Geneva as an attempt to de fine the world in economic terms. The intent was not to de grade any people group but rather to identify nations that fell within a common historical grid that resulted in their having common socioeconomic conditions and other similar characteristics. Technically speaking, the term was an attempt to de scribe a grouping of peoples who were not allowed to develop or maximize their true potential because they were victims of colonial oppression or regimes that suppressed the creative and progressive instincts of the masses. The vast majority of them were not allowed to participate or benefit directly from the industrial revolution, but rather were victims of it by be ing used as human fuel — slaves for the engines of industry. Many of these people are products of slavery, colonization, indentured servitude, or ideological oppression. The group that is known today as Third World makes up more than two- thirds of the world‘s population and comprises every race, color, ethnic background, and nationality. Third-World nations, therefore, include billions of people still struggling to find their place in the global scheme of social, technical, and economic advancement. The nature of their history — slavery, displacement, so cial abuse, and cultural emasculation — rendered many of T

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