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  • 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.