How does globalization interact with peripheral regions under core-periphery patterns?

• A. Peripheral regions always achieve faster growth than core regions.
• B. Globalization and core investments can connect peripheral regions to value chains, but disparities may persist.
• C. Peripheries are never integrated into global markets.
• D. Core regions stop investing in peripheries.

Answer: (B)

Globalization pulls peripheral regions into global production networks by bringing in investment, trade, and access to international markets. This can open opportunities for growth and upgrading, as peripheral areas connect to global value chains, learn new technologies, and diversify their activities. However, the advantages tend to accrue to core regions that already have higher productivity, advanced institutions, and stronger bargaining power, so disparities persist. Peripheries may gain access and improve some tasks, but they often remain locked into lower-value-added roles or depend on external demand and investment, meaning development is not automatically equal to core regions.