Center-Periphery Dynamics & Global Geopolitics
The Unequal Exchange: Center and Periphery
There is a set of regions that have significant means of production of high technology, large capital investment, and control of the world market; this is called the center. Other regions, in contrast, have limited means of production, short technology, little economic investment, and no control over the global market; this is called the periphery.
Between the center and the periphery, global trade relations called unequal exchange occur. This is when the states in the center control market prices, and the periphery does not. The regions known as semi-peripheries possess abundant natural resources, where certain functions and activities from the center are relocated.
International Institutions and Geopolitical Areas
A geopolitical area is a territorial space defined by certain geographical characteristics and a set of political relations. The global scenario of the early 21st century is dominated by several groups of states, driven by economic competition and alliances. The end of the confrontation between the U.S. and the USSR, and the significant economic progress in China, have given way to a multilateral world characterized by several aspects:
- Performance of the U.S. as a global economic power with strong military intervention in areas considered providers of energy products.
- Presence of two regional areas: The EU and the South Korea-Japan area, with great economic power but little military power. Both units practice a policy of alliances with the U.S.
- Growing importance of China and India: Both have emerged as economic powers of the 20th century, with future direct competition with the USA, Japan, and Germany.
- Russia’s interest in regaining its power and influence in the countries of the former Soviet Union in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, and returning to action at the world level despite its economic weakness.
- Formation of a bloc of Islamic countries with phenomena of violence and religious radicalism. This is an area of great geostrategic instability due to the presence of hydrocarbons. These countries include those trying to follow a policy independent of the U.S. (Iran) and those acting as allies (Saudi Arabia).
- Sub-Saharan African countries with major development problems, despite large mineral and hydrocarbon reserves. These countries are prevented from developing by serious internal conflicts and highly corrupt governments.
- Latin America: Some countries have important economic ties with the U.S., while others are trying to build an alternative to European and North American economic power. This causes political and economic instability.
Situations Causing Conflicts and International Tensions:
- Energy issues related to the location and control of oil and natural gas reserves.
- Access to drinking water.
- Control of mineral resources.
- Environmental management and waste.
- Tensions within multiethnic states where power rests in the hands of one ethnic group.
- Unequal distribution of economic resources and food.