First world, second world and third world
I'm sure we've all heard of the terms first world and third world.
First and third world countries are today often used incorrectly as synonyms for developed and developing countries.
This got me thinking, what is the second world? And why don't we hear about it?
Well, originally, these terms were used during the Cold War, and they were used to divide the countries up by allegiances.
First world countries were those allied to the United States and the Western Bloc.
Second world countries were those allied with the Soviet Union.
Third world countries were those not allied to either side.
So why don't we hear of second world countries. Well, after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, the second world ceased to exist.