world-systems theory is a social science theory developed by immanuel wallerstein in the 1970s.
it explains global inequality by viewing the world as a single interconnected economic system, where countries are divided into three types:
- core countries: wealthy, powerful, industrialized nations. - semi-periphery countries: in-between nations, developing economies that have some industry but still depend on core countries. - periphery countries: poorer, less developed countries that mainly export raw materials and labor to core countries.
the system is based on exploitation: core countries exploit both the semi-periphery and the periphery for cheap labor and raw materials, keeping them dependent and underdeveloped.
1- core country example: united states, germany, japan explanation: high technology, advanced industries, strong political power. they manufacture goods from raw materials imported from poorer countries and export finished products globally.
2- semi-periphery country example: mexico, brazil, south africa explanation: countries that have growing industries and some political power, but still depend on core countries for capital and technology.
3- periphery country example: bangladesh, ethiopia, democratic republic of congo explanation: these countries primarily export raw materials (like cotton, coffee, or minerals) and cheap labor to richer countries.