The term "First World" historically referred to the group of nation-states that possessed mature industrialised economies, based primarily on capitalistic production and aligned with the Western bloc during the Cold War era. These countries typically had high levels of economic development, technological advancement, and democratic political systems. The concept originated in the context of the Cold War division of the world into three "worlds": the First World (Western industrialised nations), the Second World (communist and socialist states), and the Third World (developing countries). While the Cold War context has ended, the term "First World" is sometimes still used, though often critically, to refer to highly developed, wealthy nations with strong economies and high standards of living. However, its continued use can be problematic as it implies a hierarchy and can overlook the diversity and complexities within and between these nations. More neutral terms like "developed countries" or "high-income countries" are often preferred in contemporary sociological and economic discourse.