World-systems theory contends that?

World-systems theory, developed by sociologist Immanuel Wallerstein, posits that the global economic system is divided into a structured inequality where core countries dominate and exploit peripheral countries. This framework highlights the relationship between these regions, emphasizing that core nations—typically more developed and economically powerful—leverage their advantages to extract resources, labor, and profits from peripheral nations, which are often less developed and economically dependent.

The theory establishes a dynamic of dependency, where the wealth and progress of core nations largely come at the expense of those on the periphery. Essentially, this exploitation can manifest in various forms, such as unfair trade practices, labor exploitation, and the extraction of natural resources. This perspective reveals the interconnectedness of global economies and highlights issues of power and inequality in international relations.

Understanding this theory is crucial in analyzing global economic relations, as it illustrates not just how wealth is generated but also how it perpetuates inequality throughout the world. Thus, option B accurately represents the fundamental assertion of world-systems theory regarding the exploitative relationship between core and peripheral countries.