Exam 14: The Process of Change: We Can Make a Difference

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According to world systems theory, the three main parts of the world system are the core, the periphery, and the semi-periphery.

The core countries are the most developed and industrialized nations, such as the United States, Western European countries, and Japan. These countries play a dominant role in the world economy, controlling the majority of global wealth and resources. They are typically the centers of technological innovation, finance, and trade, and they often exploit the periphery and semi-periphery for cheap labor and raw materials.

The periphery countries are the least developed and often rely on agriculture and natural resource extraction for their economies. They are typically exploited by core countries for cheap labor and resources, and they often struggle with poverty, underdevelopment, and political instability.

The semi-periphery countries are in between the core and periphery, with some level of industrialization and economic development, but still reliant on the core for technology and investment. They often serve as a buffer between the core and periphery and play a role in the global economy as suppliers of cheap labor and resources, as well as emerging markets for the core countries.

Overall, the world systems theory suggests that the global economy is structured in a way that benefits the core countries at the expense of the periphery and semi-periphery, leading to unequal development and economic exploitation.