Globalisation Models

• The Core and Periphery Model was created from 1963 to 1974, initially by John Friedman but finished by Immanuel Wallerstein (to whom it's credited). The basic concept of this model is that the strong core is mutually reliant on the weak periphery. For example, there are 'core' HICs driving the world's progress with 'periphery' LICs assisting it/providing for it. NEEs are classed as semi-periphery because they fit into neither category.
• Wallerstein's (1974) motivation for creating the Core and Periphery Model was to explain the genesis and functioning of capitalism, classing countries as either strong cores or weak peripheries and yet inextricably linked and mutually reliant.
• In 1991, Krugman furthered the Core and Periphery Model by explaining that the growth of the core is at the expense of the periphery. Globalisation leads to disproportionate development between regions and countries. Market integration can result in gains and losses depending on who you are and how involved you are.
• An example supporting the Core and Periphery Model is Brazil. The 'golden triangle' at the core is composed of Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls and Buenos Aires, whereas the main peripheral area is the Amazon Rainforest. Overheating causes severe problems here because many people move from the periphery into the core in search of better economic opportunities/QOL etc. This can lead to lack of housing and the creation of favelas, especially in cities such as Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte.
• When looking into development, the Core and Periphery Model describes the spatial and economic divisions between developed core regions and less developed periphery regions.

  • core regions experience more economic development, urbanisation, industrialisation, higher quality infrastructure, and access to resources.
  • the inequalities arise from core regions accumulating wealth and resources from the high concentration of economic opportunities and activities there, leading to an uneven distribution of wealth and development.
• The criticisms of the Core and Periphery Model are:

  • it's oversimplified (assumes a binary division between regions and ignores complexities)
  • it neglects cultural and historical factors affecting rates of development (focus on economics)
  • doesn't consider the role of globalisation and the impacts of trade relations/transnational flows of capital and labour on development
• The Dependency Theory Model was created by Andre Gunder Frank in 1971. It views the world has having a developed core and underdeveloped periphery, where the core deliberately exploits the cheap resources in the periphery and actively perpetuates a state of underdevelopment. This happens because without exploitation the wealthier nation could not enjoy a luxurious quality of life.
• The strengths of the Dependency Theory Model include:

  • it successfully shows how dependent countries can develop from the exploitation of poorer, underdeveloped countries
  • it clearly considers the differences and inequalities between the rich and poor
  • it argues in favour of developed countries (they are not all bad) and blames the imperialists who run them
• The criticisms of the Dependency Theory Model include:

  • it is simplified and not applicable to all situations, providing a weak explanation of global developmental inequalities
  • underdevelopment can be due to national issues such as poor leadership, climate, and accessibility
  • the rapid development of China and India disproves the theory because they are hubs of cheap labour and resources
  • it doesn't account for regions/states, just the country as a whole
• The Modernisation Theory was created by Rostow in the 1960s. It was used to explain the British Empire's dominance of the USA. Each stage is achieved through free trade, capitalism and democracy. Rostow believed that the USSR and China could not achieve fast development without following these stages. As a result of this model, developing countries began to invest in key infrastructure in order to develop.
• 1. DTM Stage 1: a primary industry sector, small agrarian workforce, subsistence farming, and traditional gender roles.
  2. DTM Stage 2: the beginning of a robust workforce, mechanisation, the marketing of surplus products, aid and external interaction, and increased survival
  3. DTM Stage 3: the workforce becoming a large asset for economic growth and demographic dividend (potential for rapid growth)
  4. DTM Stage 4: an open economy, a political presence, foreign allies/relationships, and an export market
  5. DTM Stage 5: a population with disposable income and access to luxuries.

  
• The strengths of the Modernisation Theory include:

  • it allows the development of a country to be simply recorded and followed
  • the development of a country can be illustrated and graphed
• The criticisms of the Modernisation Theory include:

  • it does not acknowledge that developing countries mainly rely on loans and aid to develop
  • it is outdated because China and India have managed to 'leapfrog' steps and therefore defied the model
  • it doesn't consider regional and cultural factors and their impacts on development