Changes in the International Division of Labour: Theoretical Implications

Abstract

The 1980s have witnessed new Third World developments, Including new patterns of industrialization in certain nations, primarily the so-called Newly Industrializing Countnes. This industrialization has led to an increased export to the western industrialized world of internationally competitive manufactured goods, while the very same industrialization has given rise to an increased demand from the western countries of manufactured goods, primarily capital goods This tendency towards a new International Division of Labour is questioning the prevailing development theories, not least the one based on a dependency notion. The article discusses some of the theoretical and political implications of this new development, notably as related to the notion of 'blocked capital accumulation in the periphery, advocated not least by Samir Amin It is argued that the industrialization pattern in certain Third World nations seems to overcome the 'blocked' situation, perhaps establishing much more inter-linked and 'self-centred' economic structures.

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