how theories help understand the changing patterns of power

• The world systems theory

  a way of looking at the global economy and understanding how different countries and region interact
• world systems theory explained

  -world is divided into three groups

  • core
  • periphery
  • semi-periphery

  -shows how raw materials are given to core countries from periphery to make into product and given back at a high price, the core countries making mass profit
• what does the work systems theory suggest?

  the current system befits the core countries at the expense of the periphery countries
• core country 


  Most developed
• Semi periphery country

  Between core and periphery

  More developed than periphery but exploited by core
• periphery

  Poor and underdeveloped

  Limited access to education and healthcare
• problems using the world systems theory

  -oversimplifies the global economy

  -Neglect other factors (culture, social)

  -Eurocentric

  -Suggest the underdeveloped countries remain underdeveloped
• how the world systems theory is helpful…

  -highlights disparities in wealth, power and resources

  -Shows the importance of historical contacts (current political systems are product of historical processes)
• Who wrote the modernisation theory?

  Walt Rostow
• Explain the modernisation theory

  1.Traditional societies - self sustainable farm communities

  2. Preconditions for takeoff - outside influence commercialises farms to create products to sell on

  3. Takeoff - urbanisation, industrialisation and growth of manufacturing

  4. Drive to maturity - diversification, specialisation, innovation, and investment

  5. Age of mass consumption - highly sophisticated Society
• What was the aim of the modernisation theory?

  Mass consumption and development
• Who wrote the dependency theory?

  Andre Gunder Frank
• Explain the Dependency theory

  Low income countries give raw materials, political support, debt repayment and most experienced workers, in return for aid, manufactured goods at a higher price, polluting industries, political and economic ideas
• Reason LIC rely on HIC

  Low income countries can’t make own good so allow high income countries to manufacture