Throughout the Cold War and beyond, the countries of the Third World have been the priority recipients of Western foreign aid and the focus of economic development through mainstream theories such as modernization theory and dependency theory.
Sepanjang Perang Dingin dan sesudahnya, negara-negara Dunia Ketiga menjadi prioritas penerima bantuan luar negeri Barat dan pembangunan ekonomi melalui teori-teori arus utama seperti teori modernisasi dan teori ketergantungan.