Theories of Development

Based upon Wallerstein's World Systems Theory, which of the following countries best fits the description of a periphery country?

• Brazil

• Japan

• Mali

• China

Answer explanation

Mali, like many other African countries, is considered to be a periphery country because it is not very industrialized and its economy is based on the exporting of raw materials.

What is the final stage of Rostow's Model of Economic Development?

• Traditional Society

• Take-Off

• High Mass Consumption

• Drive to Maturity

Answer explanation

An economy characterized by a high level of mass consumption, orientation towards the consumer, and dominance by the service sector is considered the most developed type of economy in Rostow's model. Examples include the US, Canada, and other highly developed nations.

Which of the following is NOT an example of a Core-Periphery conflict?

• The demilitarized zone between North and South Korea.

• Illegal immigration conflict on the border between the US and Mexico.

• Religious conflict between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

• Immigration conflict between the European Union and Northern Africa.

Answer explanation

All of the incorrect examples have one 'core' country or group and one 'periphery' country or group involved in the conflict. Ireland and Northern Ireland, however, are both 'core' countries, and thus their longstanding conflict is not influenced by any significant differences in in economic development.

Which of the following enables countries to move from core to semi-periphery or semi-periphery to core? I. Technology and innovation II. Progression through DTM III. Increased economic specialization

• II AND III

• I

• I AND II

• I, II, AND III

Answer explanation

I, II, and III are all indicators of development, which forms the basis of the Core-Periphery Model. A change in these factors results in a change of overall development, which can make a country change from one stage of the model to another.

Which of these is not a category that the world's countries are divided into in the World Systems Theory?

• Semi-peripheral

• Developed

• Peripheral

• Core

Answer explanation

The World Systems Theory divides countries into 3 main categories: core, semi-peripheral, and peripheral. All countries are classified within these 3 areas, and there is no "developed" category that a country falls in.

Created to show that the world is interconnected and countries depend on other types of countries to prosper. Divides countries into three tiers of economic prosperity.

• Least Cost Theory

• Dependency Ratio

• World Systems Theory

• DTM

Answer explanation

The World Systems Theory creates Core, Semi-Periphery, and Periphery levels of development.

Which of the following would NOT be classified as a semi-periphery country in the World Systems Theory?

• Mexico

• New Zealand

• Brazil

• China

Answer explanation

New Zealand is considered a core country, whereas Mexico, Brazil, and China are all considered semi-periphery.

Who created the World Systems Theory?

• Ester Boserup

• Immanuel Wallerstein

• W.W. Rostow

• Norman Borlaug

Answer explanation

Wallerstein's theory divides countries into three groups (core, semi-periphery, and periphery) based on technological and economic development, social standing, and political power.

What area of China would be considered highly developed or core?

• North

• South

• East

• West

Answer explanation

The Eastern region of China is very highly developed, while the Western region is rather the opposite, and shows how development can vary in different areas of a country.

Whose five stages of development were traditional society, preconditions to takeoff, takeoff, drive to maturity, age of mass consumption?

• Ester Boserup

• Immanuel Wallerstein

• W.W. Rostow

• Norman Borlaug

Answer explanation

Rostow's five stages of development were traditional society, preconditions to takeoff, takeoff, drive to maturity, age of mass consumption.