Centres and Peripheries: An Empirical test of Galtung's Theory of Imperialism

Johan Galtung's structural theory of economic imperialism is tested empirically by using cluster analysis to determine whether the nations of the world do, in fact, form groups in terms of the dimensions that Galtung identifies as defining his centre-periphery distinction. Since this division of the world into Centre and Periphery nations is fundamental to Galtung's model, it is contended that this approach to testing is more appropriate than simply examining the correlations between various dependence and development variables. Seven operational measures of the centre-periphery distinction are employed, using data for sixty-eight developed and less developed countries.The cluster analysis confirms that certain countries can indeed be identified with Galtung's ideal-types of Centre and Periphery. Thus, there is one Centre group comprising twenty countries, which are high on development dimensions, centrally located in the interaction structure, on top of the vertical interaction relation, and having relatively low disharmony of interest domestically. Then, there is a group of thirteen, predominantly Latin America, Periphery countries which exhibit precisely the opposite pattern. Examination of the other groupings obtained, comprising countries which are in the Centre relative to one dimension and in the Periphery relative to another, supports Galtung's contention that vertical interaction is the major source of inequality among nations.This ability to identify typical and atypical cases is a particular strength of the cluster analysis approach. Repeating this type of analysis at regular intervals would make it possible to identify countries that are changing their position in the centre-periphery network and should thus provide a fruitful source for theories about the dynamics of economic imperi alism.