Economic patterns and the search for explanation. The changing world economy ; Global patterns and trends ; Geographical dynamics of the world economy -- Rise of the core economies. Preindustrial foundations ; Evolution of the core regions ; Globalization of economic activities -- Spatial transformation of core periphery. Spatial reorganization of the core economies ; Dynamics of interdependence : transformation of the periphery ; Agriculture : the primary concern? ; Industrialization : the path to progress? ; Services : going global? -- Adjusting to the world economy. International and supranational institutionalized integration ; Reassertion of the local in the age of the global : regions and localities within the world economy ; Conclusion.

Includes bibliographical references and index.