THE CONCEPT OF "CENTER-PERIPHERY" IN THE MODERN GEOPOLITICAL PROCESS

Abstract

Introduction. The article is devoted to determining the causes of the asymmetric development of countries in the modern international community with reference to the previous historical development of public thought. Geopolitical tensions on the world stage are particularly relevant to this topic today, as the largest countries enter the struggle for the role of a new world leader. Materials and methods of research. The theoretical and methodological basis is the conceptual provisions of the theories of «stages of economic growth», «big push», and world-system analysis. The article uses historical and systematic research methods, and the author also refers to political economic analysis as a research method that allows tracing trends in social development in dynamics. Analysis. Based on the analysis of some theories explaining the uneven development of countries, the author proves the need for an interdisciplinary approach in the study of country differences. Such an interdisciplinary approach is the world-system analysis, which determines the nature of relations between the central and peripheral countries through dependence relations. Based on the historical analysis of capitalist society, the world-system approach today makes it possible to understand the dynamics of society's development very clearly, and therefore to develop certain recommendations for its transformation. Conclusions. The State today faces the task of actively managing economic and political development. Liberalism, followed by neoliberalism, have shown their inadequacy in the context of the relationship of domination and subordination, therefore it is necessary to search for a new management paradigm.