Third World Nations

Gadabout was recently asked about what defined a Third World Nation (TWN). More specifically, the question was asked as to whether or not Spain and Italy were categorized as TWNs. Well, I skirted around the issue in my response and in the end concluded that they were not.

Now, the following diatribe is not based upon ANY internet research since I wanted to keep to pure opinion, exclusive to any established fact on the subject. Why start being objective at this stage of the game—right?

First off, I don’t think defining countries by simple terms such as TWN, industrial, Western, etc. works any longer. Take Saudi Arabia for example: they have a fully integrated infrastructure including water, sewage, roads, airports, and power generation; an almost first rate military; a system of laws; and their own currency. Sounds good—right? Well, not really because they still hold public executions where they lop off heads in the streets for stuff like adultery. Come on! Saudis routinely run from their home of Mecca, leaving behind sacred rules and laws, to neighboring Bahrain where they can enjoy the excesses of booze and women. Gadabout doesn’t know where to slide Saudi Arabia into a conventional scale, so I’ll just have to develop a new scale!

My new Social Order and Utility National Desirability Scale (SOUNDS) will help future generations understand the world around them based upon my somewhat nonfactual matrixes. Each country will be judged upon 5 criteria using a familiar X-Y format, with corresponding grades in the form of numbers from 1 to 5. We’ll use Spain as an example.

1. Infrastructure (roads, water supply, electrical distribution, etc.)

Quality

5 Great
4 _________________X
3
2
1 Poor

Abundance 1---2---3---4---5


2. Night Life (restaurants, clubs, availability of alcohol, friendly police, etc.)

5 Great ____________X
4
3
2
1 Poor

Abundance 1---2---3---4---5

3. Rule of Law (No public executions for adultery, somewhat safe prisons, conditions, etc.)

5 Fair
4 ______________X
3
2
1 Unfair

Abundance 1---2---3---4---5

4. Safety and Cleanliness (disease, hospitals, peddlers, litter, etc)

5 Great
4 _________________X
3
2
1 Poor

Abundance 1---2---3---4---5

5. Historical Heritage and Recreation (Cool stuff to do and see, and it is accessible)

5 High ________________X
4
3
2
1 Low

Abundance 1---2---3---4---5

In this example, Spain scored very high. Each score within each individual matrix is multiplied and those scores are added together. The maximum score for any country is 125. How did Spain fare?

Infrastructure: 4 X 4 = 16
Night Life: 5 X 4 = 20
Rule of Law: 4 X 3 = 12
Safety and Cleanliness: 4 X 4 = 16
Historical and Recreational: 5 X 5 = 25

Total Score = 89 Not too bad! Remember, only Valhalla and Shangri-La rate a 125! Gadabout gives Spain a Green Light.

Use this system BEFORE you gadabout the world to avoid surprises, keep safe and be happy.