Why yes, there is a vast world devouring monster with its tendrils encircling all of us, and it's plainly visible once you notice it, and it's everywhere. But you come off as insane when you try to tell other people about it.
Is SCP-3125 an allegory for capitalism? Shit.
Ah, it doesn't sound new, I've hearing those concepts all my life.
Another factor that helps keep the periphery underdeveloped: agrooligarchs (or other primary-products-oligarchs) not wanting to cede power to industrial oligarchs. That's what happened to South America.
Agricultural colonies are easier to handle, less unions and all that hassle that comes with then