<P> This trend known to continued throughout the century, with Germany, Russia, and Japan also taking seats at the core . At the end of World War II however, Germany quickly fell to the semi-periphery along with war - ravaged France . As the rest of Europe struggled to rebuild itself, it also fell to the semi-periphery, with the exception of many Eastern European nations, who fell under the Soviet Union as bloc countries . Japan also fell back into semi-periphery, along with the industrializing China and India, until their recent upswing in influence . Change also came to North America, where American imperialism led to the rise of countries like Guatemala and the Dominican Republic . On the other side of the Pacific, Australia was also developing, helping to secure an Allied Victory in World War II . </P> <P> In today's global hierarchy, some states are transitioning upward while others are moving downward in terms of status and influence . Former colonial powers no longer exercise control over an international domain and are instead mostly relegated to their core; for example, former European world powers do not exert influence over colonial outposts in the Americas, Africa, or Asia, but rather have consolidated their power in the form of the European Union . The new leading powers are mostly non-European (United States, Canada, Japan). Outside of these developed countries are countries (see list below) that are considered semi-periphery and are both dominant and dominated within economic, political, and social realms . These middle powers are a combination of nations that have emerged as a result of the fragmentation of the Soviet Union and nations that have risen because of their possession of resources in high demand, like oil in Saudi Arabia . While these nations are by no means on the level of the stated world powers, they are able to exert influence over the weaker nations of the impoverished Fourth World . </P> <P> Other terms used to describe semi-periphery countries include sub-imperial and semi-industrial . Immanuel Wallerstein identifies three ways by which countries can emerge from the periphery into the semi-periphery . Countries with a large market and room for industrial growth, like Brazil, South Africa, and Mexico, and countries with valuable energy resources, like Iran and Saudi Arabia, can utilize the strategy of seizing the chance . The strategy of promotion by invitation can be utilized by countries willing to be open to foreign governmental and regional administrative centers . Examples of past countries to utilize this strategy are the capitalist regimes in Africa like Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Zaire, Senegal, and Côte d'Ivoire . These countries use dependent development to integrate into the world economy and establish local dominance . Outside of these strategies is that of self - reliance, a basic theory that as some countries grow, others will decline . Many countries in Africa and South America have exhibited the qualities of a sub-imperial or semi-industrial power . </P> <P> Wallerstein examines the role of semi-periphery countries during a period of economic downturn . To redefine core and periphery countries in an economic sense, core countries are characterized by advanced technology, high profits, high wages, and diversified production while periphery countries have less technology, low profits, low wages, and less diversified production . Semi-periphery countries fall in the middle of these spectra, and their unique political and social structure place them in a position where they can best take advantage of economic downturns . </P>

According to world systems theory peripheral countries are in an intermediate position in the world