|
These are terms used to describe countries above and below a geographical
dividing line which differentiates the wealthier industrialised countries
of the 'North' from those low income countries of the 'South'. These terms
have been chosen in preference to 'developed' and 'underdeveloped', or
First and Third World. Many consider these terms imply superiority and
inferiority.
In actuality the countries of the North include not just Europe, North
America and Japan but also two countries in the southern hemisphere: Australia
and New Zealand. It must also be acknowledged that on-going changes such
as increasing poverty in Eastern Europe and increasing prosperity in countries
of the Far East and in China challenge this simplistic differentiation.
|