Core countries

In world systems theory, the core countries are the industrialized capitalist countries on which periphery
countries and semi-periphery countries depend. Core countries control and benefit from the global market.
They are usually recognized as wealthy nations with a wide variety of resources and are in a favorable location
compared to other states. They have strong state institutions, a powerful military and powerful global political
alliances.
Core countries do not always stay core permanently. Throughout history, core nations have been changing and
new ones have been added to the core list. The most influential countries in the past have been what would be
considered core. These were the Asian, Indian and Middle Eastern empires in the ages up to the 16th century,
prominently India and China were the richest regions in the world until the 15th century, when
the European powers took the lead, although the major Asian powers such as China were still very influential in
the region. Europe remained ahead of the pack until the 20th century, when the two World Wars turned
disastrous for the European economies. It is then that the victorious United States and Soviet Union, up to late
1980s, became the two hegemons, creating a bipolar world order. The heart of civilisation consists of United
States, Canada, Europe, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. The population of the core is by far
the wealthiest and best educated on the planet.
Core countries control and profit the most from the world system, and thus they are the "core" of the world
system. These countries possess the ability to exercise control over other countries or groups of countries with
several kinds of power such as military, economic, and political power.
The United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand are examples of present
core countries that have the most power in the world economic system.[1] Core countries tend to have both
strong state machinery[clarification needed] and a developed[clarification needed] national culture.

semi-periphery countries

In world-systems theory, the semi-periphery countries (sometimes referred to as just the semi-periphery)
are the industrializing, mostly capitalist countries which are positioned between the periphery and core
countries. Semi-periphery countries have organizational characteristics of both core countries and periphery
countries and are often geographically located between core and peripheral regions as well as between two or
more competing core regions.[1] Semi-periphery regions play a major role in mediating economic, political, and
social activities that link core and peripheral areas.[1]
These regions allow for the possibility of innovative technology, reforms in social and organizational structure,
and dominance over peripheral nations.[1] These changes can lead to a semi-periphery country being promoted
to a core nation.[1] Semi-periphery is, however, more than a description, as it also serves as a position within
the world hierarchy in which social and economic change can be interpreted.[2]
World-systems theory describes the semi-periphery as a key structural element in the world economy.[3] The
semi-periphery plays a vital role comparative to that of the role that Spain and Portugal played in the
seventeenth and eighteenth centuries as intermediate trading groups within the European colonial empire.[3]
Today, the semi-periphery is generally industrialized.[4] Semi-peripheral countries contribute to the
manufacturing and exportation of a variety of goods.[3] They are marked by above average land mass, as
exemplified by Argentina, China, India, Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, and Iran.[2] More land mass typically means
an increased market size and share.[4] Semi-peripheral nations are not all large though, as smaller countries
such as Israel, Poland, and Greece exist within the semi-periphery.[4]
Periphery countries
In world systems theory, the periphery countries (sometimes referred to as just the periphery) are
those that are less developed than the semi-periphery and core countries. These countries usually
receive a disproportionately small share of global wealth. They have weak state institutions and are
dependent on – according to some, exploited by – more developed countries. These countries are
usually behind because of obstacles such as lack of technology, unstable government, and poor
education and health systems.[1] In some instances, the exploitation of periphery countries'
agriculture, cheap labor, and natural resources aid core countries in remaining dominant. This is
best described by dependency theory,[2] which is one theory on how globalization can affect the world
and the countries in it. It is, however, possible for periphery countries to rise out of their status and
move into semi-periphery or core status. This can be done by doing things such as industrializing,
stabilizing the government and political climate, etc.

Periphery countries are those that exist on the outer edges of global trade.[citation needed] There could be many
reasons for a country to be considered peripheral, such as a dysfunctional or inefficient government. [citation
needed] For example, some nations customs and ports are so inefficient that even though they are geographically

closer it is cheaper to ship goods from longer distances.[3] Other reasons such as wars, non-central location,
insufficient infrastructure (rail lines, roads and communications) will keep a country in the periphery of global
trade.[citation needed] Generally the populations tend to be poor and destitute so the core countries will exploit them
for cheap labor and will even purposely interfere with their politics to keep things this way.[citation needed] Usually a
peripheral country will specialize in one particular industry, leaving it vulnerable to economic instability and
limiting international investment.[citation needed] Sometimes countries decide to isolate themselves, such as 14th
century China.