THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE THIRD WORLD

Tony Onyishi O. and Eme, Okechukwu Innocent

Department of Public Administration and Local Government

University of Nigeria, Nsukka

aabaemego@yahoo.com; okechukwunncnt@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

It is axiomatic to posit that the term “Third World” is a multifaceted phenomenon. More over, the post- cold war politics and globalization process have added to this confusion. Various contending theses have emerged to explain the Third World phenomenon. This paper is equally a part of the debate. The primary interest of this paper therefore is the relationship between theory and practice, particularly as it affects the realization of significant socio-political transformations in these societies. At the epistemological level, it is possible to discern a variety of theories competing for recognition and to gain paradigmatic status in terms of explaining Third World transformations. It is the central thesis of this paper that the relevance of each of the main theories in the field is determined by both historical and political developments and considerations.