What and Where are the 'Second World' Countries?

Question

I understand what is meant by '1st world' and '3rd world' countries.
But I don't have a clear understanding of what the '2nd world' countries are, or where the're located.

Answer 1

Best explanation I could find is this:
The First World is the developed world - US, Canada, Western Europe, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand. The Second World was the Communist world led by the USSR. With the demise of the USSR and the communist block, there is no longer an official Second World designation, although Russia, China, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia have "communist" governments. The Third World is the underdeveloped world - agrarian, rural and poor. Many Third World countries have one or more developed cities, but the rest of the country is poor, rural and agrarian. Eastern Europe should probably be considered Third World. Russia should also be considered a Third World country with nuclear weapons. China, has always been considered part of the Third World, although it is industrializing, has nuclear weapons, and has urban centers of intense development. In general, Latin America, Mexico, Africa, and most of Asia are still considered Third World. The Asian tigers - South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand, except for their big cities, their maquiladora-type production facilities, a small middle class and a much smaller ruling elite should probably be considered Third World countries as well, since their populations are overwhelmingly rural, agrarian and poor.

Answer 2

The first world is America, Europe and wealthy countries in Asia.

The second world is the old USSR and its allies.

The third world are all of the other countries. The are poorer and less developed than the other nations.

The distinction is less pronounced than it was before the USSR fell. The subject is always debated but that is the simple answer.

Answer 3

The term "3 rd world" means that there are two ways of State development Capitalism and Socialism and 3 rd world countries should choose their own one. During decolonization Communist countries supported anti-colonialist movements.

Answer 4

It referred to the Communist bloc. We are the First World, and the Third World is the undeveloped countries. Second World is pretty much obsolete as a term.

Answer 5

Actually, at the present time, it's politically fallacious to name a nation first- or 3rd-international. They are handiest constructed, or setting up. Hence, South Africa and Sudan could each be underneath "setting up" and nations like America could be "constructed". In this manner, it removes any speak of first-, moment-, or 3rd-international classifications.