Three worlds theory

The Three Worlds Theory ( Chinese Trad. 三個 世界 的 理論 , Ex . 三个 的 的 理论 , Pinyin : Sān gè Shìjiè de Lǐlùn ) is a theory developed by Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong , who maintains that international relations consist of three political economic worlds: the First World - the superpowers of the USA and the USSR, the Second World - "intermediate forces, for example Japan, Europe and Canada", and the Third World - "Asia, with the exception of Japan", "all of Africa ... and Latin America" ^[1] .

In 1974, then-Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Deng Xiaoping clarified the Three Worlds Theory in a speech to the United Nations , justifying China’s cooperation with non-communist countries.

The Three Worlds Theory developed by Mao Zedong differs from the Western Three Worlds Theory (proposed by Alfred Sowi in 1952). Western theory claims that the First World included the United States and its allies, the Second World was the Soviet Union and its allies, and the Third World was neutral and non-aligned countries.

The leader of socialist Albania Enver Hoxha outlined an ideological alternative, against both theories of the three worlds and against the position of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. He argued that there are two worlds: the socialist and the capitalist. In Mao's theory, he saw the desire of China to become a "superpower" ^[2] . This led to a Sino-Albanian split in the Communist Party, positions previously agreed between China and Albania.