Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
set of terms. But the core-periphery model is fundamentally
different from the modernization model because it holds
that not all places can be equally wealthy in the capital-
ist world-economy. World-systems theory also makes
the power relations among places explicit and does not
assume that socioeconomic change will occur in the same
way in all places. It is thus sensitive to geographical con-
text, at least in economic terms.
Geographer Peter J. Taylor uses the analogy of a
school of tadpoles to demonstrate these ideas. He envi-
sions different places in the world as tadpoles and explains
that not all tadpoles can survive to develop into toads.
Rather, those who dominate survive, and the others per-
ish. World-systems theorists see domination (exploita-
tion) as a function of the capitalist drive for profi t in the
global economy. Thus, capitalists can move production
quickly from one place to another around the globe to
enhance profi ts, but places that lose a production facility
can suffer. Moreover, their coping capacity can be small
if, as is often the case, they earlier abandoned traditional
ways and shifted to an export economy when external
investment fi rst arrived.
World-systems theory is applicable at scales beyond
the state. A core-periphery relationship can exist within
a region, a state (country), or a local area. For example,
Los Angeles can be described as the core of the Southern
California region; the Johannesburg area can be described
as the core of the South African state; or the Central
Business District can be described as the core of São
Paulo, Brazil.
governments hope to discern how to break down barri-
ers to development and improve the human condition
globally.
One of the most widely referenced measurements
of development today is the United Nations Human
Development Index (Fig. 10.7). According to the
United Nations, the Human Development Index goes
beyond economics and incorporates the “three basic
dimensions of human development: a long and healthy
life, knowledge and a decent standard of living.” Several
statistics, including per capita GDP, literacy rates,
school enrollment rates, and life expectancy at birth,
factor into the calculation of the Human Development
Index.
In 2000, the United Nations held a high-profi le
summit, during which 189 world leaders adopted the
United Nations Millennium Declaration, with the goal
of improving the condition of the people in the coun-
tries with the lowest standards of human development.
At the summit, world leaders recognized the principal
barriers to economic development and identifi ed eight
key development goals to be achieved by the year 2015.
They were:
1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.
2. Achieve universal primary education.
3. Promote gender equality and empower women.
4. Reduce child mortality.
5. Improve maternal health.
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases.
7. Ensure environmental sustainability.
8. Develop a global partnership for development.
These Millennium Development Goals rep-
resent a fairly high degree of consensus about the key
conditions that need to be changed if economic devel-
opment is to be achieved. As 2015 approaches, however,
it is becoming increasingly clear that many of the goals
will not be met. For example, HIV infection rates remain
high, and extreme poverty is still the plight of countless
millions.
Compare and contrast Rostow's ladder of development
with Wallerstein's three-tier structure of the world
economy as models for understanding a significant eco-
nomic shift that has occurred in a place with which you
are familiar.
Barriers to Economic Development
As described in the last section of this chapter, the struc-
tures and geography of the world-economy inhibit eco-
nomic development in the periphery. Numerous factors
serve as barriers to the economic development of the
periphery. In Chapter 1, we discussed the causes of mal-
nutrition, and in Chapter 2, we examined how AIDS has
ravaged Subsaharan Africa. In Chapter 13, we discuss the
vulnerability to natural hazards that exist in many peripheral
WHAT ARE THE BARRIERS TO AND THE
COSTS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT?
International organizations and governments
measure development and then create programs to
help improve the condition of humans around the
world, especially in the poorest countries of the world.
By measuring human development, organizations and
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