Europe and the Third World

Europe and the Third World are both richly evocative, rather than exact, terms, as immediately becomes apparent if we trace—however lightly—some of their varying connotations from their origins to today. The idea of Europe is ancient, ambiguous, and multivariable. The Third World is a powerful myth and a practical anachronism. European colonialism and decolonization—especially that of Britain and France—have left many legacies which provide opportunities for continuing ties today and help or hinder new definitions, declaratory and operational, of purposes, policies, and procedures. The future of Europe and the future of the Third World are two profoundly open and complex sets of possibilities which will, in some manner, undoubtedly interact. Any substantial political rearrangements in Europe will, it is most likely, be inaugaurated and practiced without any substantial influence from the Third World. If greater European unity is accomplished, then Europe could become a great benefactor to some, or most, of the countries of the Third World. Europe and the Third World are, in many important senses, comembers of one world.