For other uses of the word, see Free world (disambiguation)

The Free World is a Cold War-era term used by non-communist nations to describe themselves. The term was used to contrast the greater personal freedom enjoyed by citizens of non-communist countries that called themselves democratic, such as the United States and Western Europe, with the Soviet Union and its East European allies. The usage of this term, however, generally does not take into account the many other non-communist states allied with the "Free World" during the Cold War, most notably in South America, Asia and Africa, many of which have been criticised as repressive and dictatorial.

The term "free world" is still used today, to decribe nations that are fully free from Communism and Military dictatorship.

Because of America's prominent role in the Cold War, the President of the United States was often dubbed the "leader of the Free World", particularly in the United States itself.

Free World is also the title of a 2004 book by British political commentator Timothy Garton Ash.

Cold War

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