Human Geography 101: Development Geography - Dependency Theory Frank Underdevelopment as a Result of Colonialism Unequal Exchange

What This Is

Dependency Theory, developed by Andre Gunder Frank, posits that underdevelopment in peripheral countries is a result of colonialism and unequal exchange with core countries. This theory explains why some countries remain in a state of underdevelopment despite having natural resources and a large workforce. For example, the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country rich in natural resources, remains one of the poorest countries in the world due to its history of colonialism and exploitation by European powers.

Key Models, Theories & Terms

• Dependency Theory: A framework explaining underdevelopment in peripheral countries as a result of colonialism and unequal exchange with core countries. Application: Analyzing the economic relationships between countries, such as the exploitation of natural resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Unequal Exchange: A concept describing the unequal trade relationships between core and peripheral countries, where peripheral countries export raw materials and import manufactured goods. Application: Understanding the impact of unequal exchange on the economies of peripheral countries, such as Brazil's reliance on exporting soybeans and importing electronics.
• Core-Periphery Model: A model describing the economic relationships between core and peripheral countries, where core countries dominate peripheral countries through trade and investment. Application: Analyzing the economic relationships between countries, such as the United States and China.
• World-System Theory: A framework explaining the global economy as a single, interconnected system, where countries are divided into core, semi-periphery, and periphery. Application: Understanding the global economy and the relationships between countries, such as the impact of globalization on the economies of peripheral countries.
• Immanuel Wallerstein's World-System: A framework explaining the global economy as a single, interconnected system, where countries are divided into core, semi-periphery, and periphery. Application: Analyzing the global economy and the relationships between countries, such as the impact of globalization on the economies of peripheral countries.
• Andre Gunder Frank's Dependency Theory: A framework explaining underdevelopment in peripheral countries as a result of colonialism and unequal exchange with core countries. Application: Understanding the impact of colonialism and unequal exchange on the economies of peripheral countries, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Periphery: A region or country that is economically dependent on the core and is characterized by underdevelopment. Application: Identifying countries that are economically dependent on the core, such as many countries in Africa and Latin America.
• Core: A region or country that dominates the global economy and is characterized by economic development. Application: Identifying countries that dominate the global economy, such as the United States and China.
• Semi-periphery: A region or country that is economically intermediate between the core and periphery and is characterized by economic development. Application: Identifying countries that are economically intermediate between the core and periphery, such as Brazil and South Africa.

Step-by-Step Application

1. Identify the core and periphery countries in a given economic system.
2. Analyze the trade relationships between core and periphery countries.
3. Understand the impact of unequal exchange on the economies of peripheral countries.
4. Identify the semi-periphery countries in a given economic system.
5. Analyze the economic relationships between core, semi-periphery, and periphery countries.
6. Understand the impact of colonialism and unequal exchange on the economies of peripheral countries.

Common Misconceptions

• Misconception: All countries are equally developed and have the same economic opportunities.
• Correction: The core-periphery model explains the unequal economic relationships between countries, where core countries dominate peripheral countries through trade and investment.
• Example: The United States and China have different economic opportunities due to their positions in the core-periphery model.
• Misconception: The world-system theory is a static model that does not change over time.
• Correction: The world-system theory is a dynamic model that explains the changing relationships between countries over time.
• Example: The rise of China as a global economic power has changed the relationships between countries in the world-system.
• Misconception: The semi-periphery countries are not economically developed.
• Correction: The semi-periphery countries are economically intermediate between the core and periphery and are characterized by economic development.
• Example: Brazil and South Africa are examples of semi-periphery countries that are economically developed.

AP Exam / Free-Response Tips

• Task Verbs: Identify, describe, explain, compare, and analyze are common task verbs on the AP Human Geography exam.
• Tricky Distinctions: Understand the differences between core, semi-periphery, and periphery countries, as well as the impact of colonialism and unequal exchange on the economies of peripheral countries.
• Integration of Models: Integrate the core-periphery model and world-system theory into your essays to explain the global economy and the relationships between countries.
• Scoring: The AP Human Geography exam is scored based on the quality of your responses, so make sure to provide clear and concise answers.

Quick Practice Scenario

A megacity in a developing country grows rapidly as rural residents move in for factory jobs. Identify the dominant migration pattern and one likely urban model that describes its structure.

Answer: The dominant migration pattern is rural-urban migration, and one likely urban model that describes its structure is the Burgess concentric zone model.

Explanation: The Burgess concentric zone model describes the growth of cities as a series of concentric zones, with the central business district at the center and residential areas at the periphery. This model is likely to describe the structure of the megacity in the developing country, where rural residents move in for factory jobs and live in residential areas at the periphery of the city.

Last-Minute Cram Sheet

• Core-Periphery Model: A framework explaining the economic relationships between core and peripheral countries.
• World-System Theory: A framework explaining the global economy as a single, interconnected system.
• Andre Gunder Frank's Dependency Theory: A framework explaining underdevelopment in peripheral countries as a result of colonialism and unequal exchange with core countries.
• Periphery: A region or country that is economically dependent on the core and is characterized by underdevelopment.
• Core: A region or country that dominates the global economy and is characterized by economic development.
• Semi-periphery: A region or country that is economically intermediate between the core and periphery and is characterized by economic development.
• Unequal Exchange: A concept describing the unequal trade relationships between core and peripheral countries.
• Immanuel Wallerstein's World-System: A framework explaining the global economy as a single, interconnected system.
• Colonialism: The practice of one country dominating another country through economic and political means.
• Ethnic religion (Judaism, Hinduism) is not the same as universalizing religion (Christianity, Islam, Buddhism) – ethnic religions do not actively seek converts.