How did dependency theory differ from world systems theory in its main focus?

While both dependency theory and world systems theory share a global analytical perspective and emphasize the exploitative nature of the international economy, they differ primarily in their focus regarding the drivers of this system.1

• Dependency Theory: This approach focuses heavily on the power of transnational classes and the internal class structures within developing nations that sustain the global economy. It emphasizes how the periphery is economically drained by the core and examines the complexity of imperialism in shaping postcolonial states.1
• World Systems Theory: This perspective shifts the focus toward the role of powerful states and the broader interstate system. It treats the entire world as a single capitalist economy, analyzing how the division of labor among the core, periphery, and semiperiphery determines political systems and labor conditions.1

In essence, while dependency theorists prioritize the influence of class dynamics and transnational exploitation, world systems analysts prioritize the structural and political power of states within the global capitalist framework.1