- 1. Accumulation On A World Scale by Samir Amin is a comprehensive analysis that explores the dynamics of global capital accumulation and its profound impact on economic development, inequality, and class relations across the globe. Amin, a renowned Marxist economist, delves into the historical and structural factors that have shaped the capitalist world system, emphasizing the interplay between the global and local dimensions of economic processes. His work critically examines how the mechanisms of capital accumulation lead to the exploitation of labor and resources, perpetuating underdevelopment in the Global South while maintaining the prosperity of the Global North. Through a meticulous examination of trade patterns, the role of multinational corporations, and the influence of imperialist policies, Amin articulates a vision of economic reality that challenges conventional capitalist narratives. He argues for the necessity of understanding accumulation as a historical process that involves the unequal power relations between nations and classes, urging for transformative strategies that prioritize social justice and equitable development. The book is not just a theoretical exposition; it serves as a rallying call for activists, scholars, and policymakers to rethink the foundations of economic theory and practice in a world grappling with crises of inequality and sustainability.
According to Amin, what is the core structure of the global capitalist system?
A) Feudal hierarchy
B) Democratic socialism
C) Free market competition
D) Center-periphery
- 2. What does Amin argue is the primary mechanism of accumulation for the 'center'?
A) Fair trade
B) Unequal exchange
C) Domestic savings
D) Technological innovation alone
- 3. How does Amin characterize the economic development of the 'periphery'?
A) Autonomous and self-sufficient
B) Distorted and dependent
C) Rapidly converging with the center
D) Based on agrarian socialism
- 4. What historical process does Amin identify as crucial for the initial accumulation of capital in the center?
A) The Industrial Revolution
B) The Digital Revolution
C) Colonialism
D) The Green Revolution
- 5. For Amin, what is the main role of the periphery in the global system?
A) To set global financial policy
B) To provide cheap raw materials and labor
C) To be a primary consumer market
D) To lead in technological innovation
- 6. What does Amin propose as a solution for peripheral countries?
A) Strict austerity measures
B) Increased foreign direct investment
C) Delinking from the world capitalist system
D) Adopting neoliberal policies
- 7. According to Amin, what perpetuates underdevelopment in the periphery?
A) Geographic isolation
B) Lack of natural resources
C) The structure of the global capitalist system
D) Cultural inferiority
- 8. How does Amin view the concept of 'comparative advantage' in international trade?
A) As an outdated mercantilist idea
B) As the key to global prosperity
C) As a myth that reinforces unequal exchange
D) As a fair and beneficial principle for all
- 9. What social class in the periphery does Amin see as comprador?
A) The industrial proletariat
B) The informal sector
C) The peasantry
D) The bourgeoisie
- 10. How does Amin analyze the transfer of value from periphery to center?
A) Through foreign aid
B) Through unequal exchange in trade
C) Through direct taxation
D) Through cultural imperialism
- 11. What does Amin identify as a major obstacle to genuine development in the periphery?
A) Integration into the world capitalist system
B) Lack of foreign investment
C) Traditional values
D) High population growth
- 12. What historical period does Amin's analysis primarily focus on?
A) The future
B) The Medieval era
C) Post-World War II
D) The 19th century
- 13. What is the fundamental dynamic of capital accumulation on a world scale for Amin?
A) Cultural exchange
B) Exploitation of the periphery by the center
C) Random market fluctuations
D) Peaceful cooperation between nations
- 14. How does Amin view the potential for capitalist development in the periphery?
A) It is blocked by the world system
B) It is already achieved
C) It is inevitable and imminent
D) It is undesirable
- 15. What is a key criticism Amin levels against mainstream development economics?
A) It ignores the polarization of the world system
B) It rejects technological progress
C) It is too focused on Marxism
D) It overemphasizes state planning
- 16. What does Amin argue about the price of peripheral exports?
A) They are perfectly efficient
B) They are set by free market competition
C) They are artificially inflated
D) They are systematically undervalued
- 17. What is the ultimate goal of 'delinking' for Amin?
A) Creating a regional empire
B) Socialist transition
C) Nationalist isolation
D) Becoming a new center
- 18. Which theoretical tradition is Samir Amin most closely associated with?
A) Monetarism.
B) Dependency Theory.
C) Neoclassical Economics.
D) Austrian School of Economics.
- 19. What does Amin mean by 'extraverted economies'?
A) Economies oriented toward external markets
B) Economies focused on internal development
C) Diversified economies
D) Service-based economies
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