Les économies semi-industrialisées contemporaines

The idea of a world economic system based on the Centre-Periphery analysis cannot provide a satisfactory overall explanation of some developing countries real situation. New terms have appeared recently, such as “advanced developing countries” or “new industrial countries”. In fact these expressions refer to economies which are yet various and heterogeneous, but which tend to be covered by a common and new category: semi-industrialized economies (S.I.E.'s). The paper brings out the main characteristics of 11 S.I.E.'s by identifying three types: “inward-looking economies” (Brazil, Argentina, Mexico), “outward-looking economies” (South Korea, Taïwan, Singapore, Hong-Kong) and “mineral economies” (Algeria, Irak, Iran, Venezuela). It analyses their industrial components and their accumulation process, linked with their historical mode of integration in the world economy. It also raises the problem of the agrarian reform and the necessity of a severe social discipline to maintain the low cost of the labour force. At last, the paper deals with the economic and political conditions for a completion of the industrialization in these countries. It mainly depends on their capacity to anticipate and participate to the actual changes in the industrial structure of the world economy.