Question

What are the differences in the threats that people in the Third World face and those living in the First World face?

Answer 1

The security threats and challenges faced by the people of the Third World were different from the ones living in the First World. They are as follows:

a. The nature of security threats was different in the Cold War era as the European countries divided themselves from the military alliances of the two superpowers. They were threatened of this Cold War actually escalating into a hot war.
b. Many European countries also got worried about the violence in their colonies by the colonised people who wanted independence, and that might have a bearing on the European countries.
c. For the newly independent countries, i.e. the Third World countries, the nature of security threat was different. They were threatened of being attacked by the former colonial rulers or of becoming targets of the Imperial War, since most of the Cold War related wars were fought in the Third World.
d. The Third World countries were also threatened of being attacked by their neighbouring countries.
e. They were also threatened by the rising aspirations of the people, culminating into secessionist movements and the demand for a separate statehood or greater autonomy. This type of threat was more challenging as they had to prevent the balkanisation of the country and retain its unity.
f. The ethnic tensions and conflict served as a major threat to the newly independent nations. They also feared the separatist group being instigated and supported by the neighbouring countries leading to instability and strife.

Thus, they faced both internal and external challenges on their security.