While the general sentiments are timeless, some of the terms and details rest with the time the song was written in 1981.
During the Cold War. when much of the world's power was divided into either the Soviet or the American spheres of influence, the "third world" referred to the rest of the world, which consisted largely (but not entirely) of countries at an unfortunately lower level of prosperity. The song's central point is that the term itself suggests a distance between the listeners (in the USA, UK, etc.) and many of the world's less fortunate people and the song tries to correct that.
In that spirit, it further suggests that both national borders (lines on the world) and national identity (flags) create divisions that create conflict rather than compassion.
Today, there is concern regarding carbon emissions; in 1981, the line "the third world breathes our air tomorrow" was motivated by other forms of air pollution by which industry in the "developed" countries could directly harm people located around the world. Smog, acid rain, and the destruction of the ozone layer were concerns at that time which received attention to some extent or another. The details are different with carbon dioxide but the theme is similar.
This song is one of several examples of the band showing its consciousness of problems that society might aspire to address. If we look back, perhaps music played an identifiable role in helping with some of those issues. If not, at least the songwriters' hearts were in the right place.
While the general sentiments are timeless, some of the terms and details rest with the time the song was written in 1981.
During the Cold War. when much of the world's power was divided into either the Soviet or the American spheres of influence, the "third world" referred to the rest of the world, which consisted largely (but not entirely) of countries at an unfortunately lower level of prosperity. The song's central point is that the term itself suggests a distance between the listeners (in the USA, UK, etc.) and many of the world's less fortunate people and the song tries to correct that.
In that spirit, it further suggests that both national borders (lines on the world) and national identity (flags) create divisions that create conflict rather than compassion.
Today, there is concern regarding carbon emissions; in 1981, the line "the third world breathes our air tomorrow" was motivated by other forms of air pollution by which industry in the "developed" countries could directly harm people located around the world. Smog, acid rain, and the destruction of the ozone layer were concerns at that time which received attention to some extent or another. The details are different with carbon dioxide but the theme is similar.
This song is one of several examples of the band showing its consciousness of problems that society might aspire to address. If we look back, perhaps music played an identifiable role in helping with some of those issues. If not, at least the songwriters' hearts were in the right place.