The present world is currently made up of two types of states, or two sub worlds, the developed and underdeveloped. The developed world is connected, stable, and for the most part capitalistic in nature. In contrast the underdeveloped world is stricken with war, famine, poverty, and has little or no economy. This underdeveloped world poses a threat to the developed world, with conditions that only foster rebellion and terrorism. A future with out this threat can only be achieved by a developed world in which states work together to bring the opportunities that it knows to the lesser states and regions around the world.
The developed world has many different names among different people. To Mr. Barnett and Mr. Friedman it is called the "functioning core" or "core" and the "world of order." Of course the name can only exist with the meaning behind it and both of theses names stand for the privileged, the stable, and working states of the world. These two men have different names and slightly different meanings and policies to deal with the under-privileged states of the world.
Mr. Barnett's "non-integrating gap" or "gap" consists of failed states and war torn areas that are lacking stability and strong economies. Environments like this foster terrorism and civil unrest that can ravage nations for decades. Barnett believes this "gap" to be a "strategic threat environment," and one that must be dealt via a "long term military commitment." Mr. Barnett believes that these "gap" states will continue to be the incubator of terrorism until they are changed, a change that will not only bring security to the developed world but also bring prosperity and stability to the underdeveloped world. In his paper Mr. Barnett seems to favor a more unilateral approach by the U.S. regarding the international system; he uses "America" and "U.S. Military" on more than a few occasions and brings up the point that where the U.