People often use the term “Third World” as shorthand for poor or developing nations. By contrast, wealthier countries such as the United States and the nations of Western Europe are described as being part of the “First World.” <span>Most Third </span>World countries<span> are former colonies. Having gained independence, many of these </span>countries<span>, especially smaller ones, were faced with the challenges of </span>nation<span>- and institution-building on their own for the </span>first<span> time. Due to this common background, many of these </span>nations<span> were "</span>developing<span>" .
According to Thomas Jefferson, one of the main reasons why governments are created is "<span><span>D) to protect the natural rights of the people," since he was very much in line with Enlightenment thinking in this regard. </span></span>
