World Regions, Globalization, and World-Systems Concepts

Vocabulary flashcards covering scales, region types, and world-systems concepts (core/semi-periphery/periphery) and globalization.

Scale (geography)

The level of geographic analysis: global, regional, national, state, or local.

Region

An area defined by distinct characteristics that set it apart from surrounding areas.

Formal region

A region with stable, defined boundaries based on objective criteria (e.g., borders, language, climate).

Functional region

An area organized around a node or function, where movement of people, goods, or information centers the region.

Perceptual (vernacular) region

A region defined by people's feelings, beliefs, and attitudes rather than fixed boundaries.

Globalization

The process by which goods, services, information, and people move rapidly across borders, creating greater interconnectedness.

World-systems theory (Wallerstein)

A macro-sociological theory describing the global economic system as a network of core, semi-peripheral, and peripheral countries with unequal relations.

Core (world-systems)

Core countries are highly developed, powerful economies that dominate global markets and drive world-system dynamics.

Semi-peripheral

Countries with intermediate development that share characteristics of both core and periphery and mediate between them.

Periphery

Less-developed countries with weaker economies, limited access to capital and technology, and dependence on core regions.

Sustainable development

Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.