Vignette 2

Third World countries have large number of common characteristics. Almost all of them have lately suffered a great population explosion. Their economies are highly dependent because they are producing primary products for the developed world. Most of those countries are rural and traditional, with lot of inhabitants and very high birthrate. These nations also tend to have high rates of illiteracy, disease, population growth and unstable government. While their inhabitants are extremely poor, the leaders are very wealthy. Third World countries have not got modern machines and equipment they need for production of various goods. This equipment is provided by large foreign companies. Large companies also determine the prices. It is very difficult to improve standard in those countries.