What is the third world in 2026?

"Developing nations" if you will. Like these days banks are referring to labour class as "low quality human capital".

Whatever terms fancy you, the underlying reality remains the same.

> "Developing nations" if you will

I wouldn't, I'm not sure which nations are developing or that they're developing into. Aren't we all developing all the time?

> Whatever terms fancy you, the underlying reality remains the same.

That's great, could you just explain the underlying reality without the loaded terms then?

People usually use the term for poorer countries, as opposed to the rich ones. Originally third world meant those not aligned with the USSR or NATO, I believe.

I get the meaning of "third world" but the USSR hasn't existed for decades, is China the modern equivalent? And it wasn't made clear why a neutral country like Switzerland would be expected to be highly corrupt while Russia would be low in corruption. Or indeed why Switzerland would be seen as a country in the process of becoming financially rich.

Right. I'm saying the meaning has shifted, and doesn't mean that any more.