1.2 CORE‐PERIPHERY MODEL

Background1. Model is by John Friedmann in the 1960s to explain the

differences in regional development.

2. The countries in the world can be divided into two main groups - the core and the periphery.

3. The core refers to the richer and developed countries or regionsThe periphery refers to the poorer and less developed countries or regions.

4. Used to explain why uneven development happens between countries & within a country.

http://teacherweb.ftl.pinecrest.edu/snyderd/APHG/projects/Core‐Periphery%20Model/gnpmap.gif

How a Core is formed

More investments

Core country / 

regionNatural 

resources, 

natural harbour, 

supply ofcheap labour

ReputationProgress and 

development with•Better infrastructure•More skilled labour•Higher income

Periphery 

country/ regionNatural (Raw 

materials) & 

Human (Labour) 

Resources 

Exploited by Core 

through

‐

Military, I.e. 

Colonisation

‐

Economic, I.e. Unfair 

trading rules

Dependent on Core for development

Slow economic  growth

How a Periphery is

formed

Characteristics of Core & Periphery Countries

• Jobs are available• Key industries: 

Secondary & Tertiary 

Industries• Urbanised

with good 

infrastructure•Concentration of wealth 

• little jobs and investmentsKey industries: Primary• Limited infrastructure•Weak & poor economy

Labour

& Raw 

materials

Finished products & 

InvestmentsCORE PERIPHERY

Core periphery development can have  + Positive or ‐

Negative 

effects on development

+ Positive(Spread) 

‐Negative(Backwash) 

• Spread Effect: Benefits of development spread  from CORE to the PERIPHERY  inequalities between 

CORE & PERIPHERY narrows. E.g. Singapore

BUT,

• Backwash Effect: Negative

impact  CORE continue to grow at the expense of the PERIPHERY.

• Backwash effect sometimes

outweighs the

benefits  produced by the Spread effect  PERIPHERY to suffer 

the negative impact of the development of the CORE.