THIRD WORLD OR DEVELOPING
"The Third World is not a reality but an ideology." - Hannah Arendt
Who is Right
I had a brief dicussion with my lecturer where we where trying to define South Africa as either a third world or a developing country. I said third world and she said developing, but before we can say who's right or who's wrong we need to understand what the difference between these two concepts is or if there even is a difference.
The Difference
Countries such as the United States of America, Britain and Japan are seen a developed countries they are characterised by a strong economy,thats growing,they are self-sufficient, they have good infrustructure and a strong currency.
What about us, where do we fit in? John F Kennedy said: "The great battleground for the defense and expansion of freedom today is the whole southern half of the globe... the lands of the rising peoples. Their revolution is the greatest in human history. They seek an end to injustice, tyranny and exploitation. More than an end, they seek a beginning."
Lets Not Lie To Ourselves
Hey we are in the Southern half of the globe, we seek to end injustice tyranny and exploitation, we seek a new beginning, i really think thats us, we can all agree we are not developed so developing or third world that's the question.
The platinum produced in South africa accounts for 80% of the world's output, but still we are not developed. We produce the largest amount of one of the worlds most in demand minerals, and still we are not developed. Isn't that a characteristic of a 3rd world country? take Sierra Leone for example it's a country rich in diamonds, but it is still poor, to me there are no developing countries if a country has natural recources and it still is poor its a third world country.We can't change what we dont acknowledge. i'd love for South Africa to to be a first world, developing or even developed country but we just aren't lets not lie to ourselves.Just because we aren't living in poverty it doesn't mean a large majority of our people are not.
 |
 |
| South African citizens drinking stagnant water, very unfirstworld. |
I believe that we need to stop waiting for the government to make things happen and unite in helping those that are less fortunate. yes it will take time, effort and money but if we all believe in it, we can make it happen.
ReplyDeleteI believe in that philosophy too beautifufz, the only problem for me is when people of influence in society start suger coating the harsh reality that a lot of our people live under.We need realists in South Africa not idealists,we can't change what we don't acknowledge
ReplyDeleteInteresting topic I must say. South Africa is partly a developing country not yet there hey. I mean if we are a developing country we would be having school kids learning under a trees with no classrooms, i mean we would'nt be having people who are still leaving in squatter camps and not having sufficient water supplies, electricity and so forth. But it is up to us as the people of South Africa to stand up for what we believe is ours and not wait on someone to tell us what to do. I mean if "you don't stand for somethig you gonna fall for anything".
ReplyDelete