What are the “three worlds” and “levels of development” approaches to global stratification? What are the critiques of each of these approaches? What is the preferred approach?

Question

Please provide the best answer for the statement.

Answer 1

1. The three worlds approach was developed during the Cold War as a way to divide nations
based on their relationship to capitalism, communism, and industrialization. Capitalist
nations that were industrialized were called first world, communist nations were
designated second world, and non-industrialized nations were called third world.
2. The three worlds approach is criticized because (1) not all nations fit into these categories,
(2) it considers first-world nations to be better than second- and third-world countries, and
(3) the geopolitical situation in which it was developed is less relevant today.
3. The levels of development approach, formulated after World War II, divides countries
based on how economically developed they are, in terms of industry, technology,
education, and health. Nations are designated developed, developing, or underdeveloped.
4. The levels of development approach is criticized for how it frames Western nations as the
ideal that other nations are measured against, and for how it ignores the positive benefits of
the strong social and community ties that often exist in less-developed countries.
5. The preferred approach is to categorize nations by their income, or gross national income
(GNI) per capita.