In the new unipolar world of globalisation, the bargaining power and sense of solidarity of Third World countries have never been weaker. But their shared problems, this author argues, remain a reality which requires political expression. But does the Third World still even exist? What role, if any, can it have in the 21st century's new topography of power? And with what agenda? These are the critical questions explored .

These questions lead the author into his second theme. Latin America has long had to confront how to conduct its relations with an over-mighty neighbour, the USA. It may now be well placed to help developing countries concert together. To this end the author explores modern Latin American history, with emphasis on the changes wrought in the 1980s and 90s in the context of the continent's wider relations with the Third World and the USA. The result is an insightful account of where developing countries now are and how they might seek to reassert themselves in order to defend their interests in the new world order.