Final answer:
The weakest economic position in the global system is known as the periphery, representing nations with minimal industrialization and dominated by core nations. Peripheral nations specialize in raw materials and agriculture and suffer from brain drain. In contrast, semi-peripheral nations have a more moderate position with connections to both peripheral and core nations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The weakest structural and economic position in the world system is known as the periphery. Peripheral nations are those on the fringes of the global economy, dominated by core nations, with very little industrialization. These nations primarily provide raw materials and agricultural products, have higher instances of occupations like farming and mining, and generally earn less income with fewer chances for promotion. There is also a prevalent issue of brain drain in these regions, where educated or skilled individuals migrate to urban areas or other countries for better opportunities and seldom return. This contributes to the continuous weakness of the peripheral nations' position in the world system.
In contrast, semi-peripheral nations occupy an intermediate position, neither powerful enough to dictate global policy nor as economically marginalized as peripheral nations. These countries often serve as a major source of raw materials and provide an expanding marketplace for the middle class of core countries. The core nations are highly industrialized, technologically advanced, and urbanized, dominating global economies and often exploiting both semi-peripheral and peripheral nations through economic legislation and trade agreements such as NAFTA.