The Post-Cold War Third World: Uncertain Peace and Elusive Development

THE END OF THE COLD WAR HAS ENCOURAGED OPTIMISTIC PREDICTIONS OF WORLDWIDE PEACE AND PROSPERITY. THIS ARTICLE CHALLENGES THESE CLAIMS BY EXAMINING THE PROBLEMS FACED BY MANY OF THE UNDER-DEVELOPED NATIONS OF THE WORLD. IT OUTLINES CHALLENGES INCLUDING AN INCREASED FLOW OF ARMS TO THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES, GROWING TENSION AND REGIONAL CONFLICTS, CRUSHING FOREIGN DEBT, AND A TREND TOWARD PROTECTIONIST TRADING BLOCS THROUGHOUT THE INDUSTRIALIZED WORLD. THE THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES FACE A FUTURE OF UNCERTAINTY AND OF TOUGH POLITICAL DECISIONMAKING.