From the syllabus:
Discuss the spatial pattern of global interactions through the mapping of core areas at the focus of interaction (network hubs/nodes), the peripheries and areas relatively unaffected by these interactions.
This page contains details about the distribution of globalization. It looks at the Core, Periphery and Semi-Periphery, and the features of Global Cities.
Discuss the spatial pattern of global interactions through the mapping of core areas at the focus of interaction (network hubs/nodes), the peripheries and areas relatively unaffected by these interactions.
This page contains details about the distribution of globalization. It looks at the Core, Periphery and Semi-Periphery, and the features of Global Cities.
Key definitions
The following are all terms that are frequently used when discussing development and globalization.
Brandt Line - the line separating the world into the developed 'north' and undeveloped 'south' in the 1980 Brandt Report. It has since been discredited due to its simplistic approach to classifying countries.
Tiger economy - an economy, usually in Asia, that experienced rapid industrial growth in the second half of the 20th century.
Developed country - a term used in the mid to late 20th century to describe countries with high economic development. The term fell out of use as the understanding of 'development' was expanded beyond simple economic terms.
Developing/undeveloped country - a term used in the mid to late 20th century to describe countries with low and medium levels of economic development. The term 'undeveloped' was dropped as it was seen to be unfair to countries which had made progress since gaining independence, and was changed to 'developing' - itself also dropped, because it was seen to be suggesting one path to 'development' and therefore a neo-colonialist attitude towards poorer countries.
The 'North' - synonymous with 'developed'. Note that textbooks frequently argue that the world has become too complex for such a simple subdivision as 'north and south' - but in reality, it was always simplistic.
The 'South' - synonymous with 'undeveloped' or 'developing'.
HIC - High Income Country (see below).
MIC - Middle Income Country.
LIC - Low Income Country.
Core - In globalization, this refers to the countries with the highest levels of economic power, i.e. European, North American and Australasian countries.
Periphery - The economic periphery refers to countries that have low levels of economic development, usually in Africa, Asia and Central America.
Semi-periphery - This refers to countries who are in a transition stage between the core and periphery. This includes the NICs (Newly Industrialised Countries) of Asia.
Network hub/nodes - the central areas of a network which act as contact points. In the world economy, this refers to major cities such as New York, London, Paris, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
A note on World Bank Classifications: HIC, MIC, LIC
The World Bank classifies countries in several ways. The most relevant to Geography students is the HIC, MIC and LIC divide. The World Bank states:
The following are all terms that are frequently used when discussing development and globalization.
Brandt Line - the line separating the world into the developed 'north' and undeveloped 'south' in the 1980 Brandt Report. It has since been discredited due to its simplistic approach to classifying countries.
Tiger economy - an economy, usually in Asia, that experienced rapid industrial growth in the second half of the 20th century.
Developed country - a term used in the mid to late 20th century to describe countries with high economic development. The term fell out of use as the understanding of 'development' was expanded beyond simple economic terms.
Developing/undeveloped country - a term used in the mid to late 20th century to describe countries with low and medium levels of economic development. The term 'undeveloped' was dropped as it was seen to be unfair to countries which had made progress since gaining independence, and was changed to 'developing' - itself also dropped, because it was seen to be suggesting one path to 'development' and therefore a neo-colonialist attitude towards poorer countries.
The 'North' - synonymous with 'developed'. Note that textbooks frequently argue that the world has become too complex for such a simple subdivision as 'north and south' - but in reality, it was always simplistic.
The 'South' - synonymous with 'undeveloped' or 'developing'.
HIC - High Income Country (see below).
MIC - Middle Income Country.
LIC - Low Income Country.
Core - In globalization, this refers to the countries with the highest levels of economic power, i.e. European, North American and Australasian countries.
Periphery - The economic periphery refers to countries that have low levels of economic development, usually in Africa, Asia and Central America.
Semi-periphery - This refers to countries who are in a transition stage between the core and periphery. This includes the NICs (Newly Industrialised Countries) of Asia.
Network hub/nodes - the central areas of a network which act as contact points. In the world economy, this refers to major cities such as New York, London, Paris, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
A note on World Bank Classifications: HIC, MIC, LIC
The World Bank classifies countries in several ways. The most relevant to Geography students is the HIC, MIC and LIC divide. The World Bank states:
- "Economies are divided according to 2012 GNI per capita, calculated using the World Bank Atlas method. The groups are: low income, $1,035 or less; lower middle income, $1,036 - $4,085; upper middle income, $4,086 - $12,615; and high income,$12,616 or more." (Source: http://data.worldbank.org/about/country-classifications)
World systems theory: core, semi-periphery and periphery
This refers to a theory from the mid 1970s in which countries were no longer seen as being trapped as part of the undeveloped south or the developed north. Instead, countries could develop and pass from being part of the periphery, to the semi-periphery, and on to become part of the core. In reality, this process is very slow and countries rarely move between each stage of development.
The theory outlines that the sectors each have key features:
Core - highly developed, with high levels of technology and therefore strong manufacturing nations
Semi-periphery - recent industrialisation, but without the high level of economic development (leading to social development such as housing, education and health infrastructure)
Periphery - largely producers of raw materials, with unskilled employment as the main source of income
Which are the core countries?
USA and Canada, the members of the European Union plus Iceland, Norway, Liechenstein and Switzerland, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. It is not agreed whether countries that industrialised later such as South Korea, Hong Kong, SIngapore and Taiwan should be included, although those of us living in Hong Kong might argue strongly that there is little 'undeveloped' about Hong Kong!
This refers to a theory from the mid 1970s in which countries were no longer seen as being trapped as part of the undeveloped south or the developed north. Instead, countries could develop and pass from being part of the periphery, to the semi-periphery, and on to become part of the core. In reality, this process is very slow and countries rarely move between each stage of development.
The theory outlines that the sectors each have key features:
Core - highly developed, with high levels of technology and therefore strong manufacturing nations
Semi-periphery - recent industrialisation, but without the high level of economic development (leading to social development such as housing, education and health infrastructure)
Periphery - largely producers of raw materials, with unskilled employment as the main source of income
Which are the core countries?
USA and Canada, the members of the European Union plus Iceland, Norway, Liechenstein and Switzerland, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. It is not agreed whether countries that industrialised later such as South Korea, Hong Kong, SIngapore and Taiwan should be included, although those of us living in Hong Kong might argue strongly that there is little 'undeveloped' about Hong Kong!
Spatial representation of the tripartite model
The map below (taken from the Wikipedia page under the Creative Commons Licence) shows the separation between core, semi-periphery and periphery. Each country can be defined in this way according to world systems theory.
The map below (taken from the Wikipedia page under the Creative Commons Licence) shows the separation between core, semi-periphery and periphery. Each country can be defined in this way according to world systems theory.
Mapping of the core areas at the focus of interaction: global cities
The focus of interaction refers to the specific places within core countries where interaction takes place. For example, the global interaction that takes place in large Chinese cities such as Shanghai does not extend through the entire country, where in the western provinces globalization is still relatively limited. Therefore, Shanghai and cities like it have special qualities. The map above shows the locations of the world's Global Cities according to the Global and World Cities Research Network.
Global cities have certain features (according to John Friedmann):
In particular, global cities frequently are the locations for the head offices of major TNCs. They are almost always served by significant transport links such as major international airports. They are also frequently government centres.
The AT Kearney Global Cities Index shows the changing importance of certain cities. New York, London, Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong frequently top the list. The index is produced every two years.
What other things make a city ‘Global’?
Note that these are subjective - it is up to individuals to consider what makes global cities truly global. For example, see this CNN article by Samantha Leese about the level of globalization in Hong Kong, where the author discusses the 'energy' or 'vibrancy' of a city. It is possible to sense this in New York, London and Paris, but some other cities that appear high on the list, such as Brussels in Belgium, are rarely put in the same category!
What are the most globalized Global Cities?
From the index below it is possible to see that New York, London, Paris and Tokyo are the most globalized cities, with Hong Kong positioned at number 5. (Source: hover over the graphic.)
Global cities have certain features (according to John Friedmann):
- Urban areas with large population
- Able to attract significant global investment
- Centres for flows of information, money and goods
- High levels of capital
In particular, global cities frequently are the locations for the head offices of major TNCs. They are almost always served by significant transport links such as major international airports. They are also frequently government centres.
The AT Kearney Global Cities Index shows the changing importance of certain cities. New York, London, Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong frequently top the list. The index is produced every two years.
What other things make a city ‘Global’?
- Economic: International finance (stock exchange), HQ of major organisations/businesses, significant imports/exports (or control of imports and exports), high cost of living
- Social: large expatriate population, cultural variety, educational institutions, access to information
- Political: government centre / centre of diplomatic missions
Note that these are subjective - it is up to individuals to consider what makes global cities truly global. For example, see this CNN article by Samantha Leese about the level of globalization in Hong Kong, where the author discusses the 'energy' or 'vibrancy' of a city. It is possible to sense this in New York, London and Paris, but some other cities that appear high on the list, such as Brussels in Belgium, are rarely put in the same category!
What are the most globalized Global Cities?
From the index below it is possible to see that New York, London, Paris and Tokyo are the most globalized cities, with Hong Kong positioned at number 5. (Source: hover over the graphic.)