Cycles of formal colonial rule.

Formal colonial rule by core states over peripheral areas has come in two waves or cyles. The first, centered in the Americas, lasted from the 16th through early 19th century. The second, centered in Africa, India, and Asia, lasted from the late 19th through the mid 20th century. The presence of two cycles is quite clear. The question now is what do they mean, what processes do they reflect, and what do they tell us about the operation of the world-system? - from Author