Third World America: How Our Politicians Are Abandoning the Middle Class and Betraying the American Dream

The term "Third World" was originally used to describe countries not aligned with the capitalist or communist blocs during the Cold War. It primarily encompassed developing nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. However, with the end of the Cold War and the economic rise of some developing countries, the term has lost its clear analytical meaning.12

Arianna Huffington's book, Third World America: How Our Politicians Are Abandoning the Middle Class and Betraying the American Dream, uses this concept metaphorically. It argues that American politicians are neglecting the middle class, leading to conditions that mirror those found in developing nations. The book critiques policies that contribute to economic disparity and the erosion of the American Dream for a significant portion of the population.3