The Rise of the Semi-Core: China, India, and Pakistan in the World-System

Capitalism has led to a shift in global politico-economic power dynamics, with some nations dominating the world economy and others falling from prominence to poverty. China and India, once central to the pre-modern global economy, transitioned into peripheries of the capitalist world trade structure due to occupation, colonization, de-industrialization, and resource exploitation. To maintain their hierarchical position, nations must possess both economic and strategic national powers. Western powers of the eighteenth century expanded their dominion globally, converting China and India into peripheries that served the core's interests.

Format: Hardback
Length: 358 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2024
Publisher: Lexington Books

Capitalism has undergone significant changes in global politico-economic power dynamics since its establishment in Europe. Some nations have risen to dominate the world economy, while others have fallen from prominence to poverty. This transformation has been particularly evident in the cases of China and India, which were once central to the pre-modern global economy with their respective empires but have transitioned into peripheries of the capitalist world trade structure. These regions have experienced occupation, colonization, de-industrialization, and resource exploitation for the industrialization and modernization of core countries, primarily Western Europe and the United States.

The Rise of the Semi-Core: China, India, and Pakistan in the World-System delves into modern capitalist history, unraveling the increasing complexities that give rise to the emergence of a semi-core. It argues that nations must possess both economic and strategic national powers to maintain their hierarchical position within the capitalist world-system. Western powers of the eighteenth century, equipped with superior military capabilities, expanded their dominion globally, including in China and India, converting these regions into peripheries that served the core's interests in terms of raw material provision, product consumption, and facilitating capital flow. Once decolonized, China and India initially adopted a statist model of development, nevertheless, these nations could grow only when they aligned with core interests.

In conclusion, capitalism has undergone significant changes in global politico-economic power dynamics since its establishment in Europe. While some nations have risen to dominate the world economy, others have fallen from prominence to poverty. The transition of China and India from central to peripheral positions in the capitalist world trade structure has been a significant factor in this transformation. Nations must possess both economic and strategic national powers to maintain their hierarchical position within the capitalist world-system. The Rise of the Semi-Core: China, India, and Pakistan in the World-System provides a valuable insight into modern capitalist history and the complexities that give rise to the emergence of a semi-core.

Weight: 680g
Dimension: 159 x 237 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666942866