> improvements in health and living standards the darker nations of the
> world had yet seen
"Darker nations"? Like a lack of sunshine, or a shortage of light-bulbs?
Things weren't all that rosy for the periphery in the era of decolonization. Life-spans were still horrendously short (45-55), disease rampant, basic education and industry lacking, and postcolonial wars endemic.
By contrast, the economic, social and political transformation of the semi-periphery and periphery from 1998-2010 is extraordinary, and like nothing ever previously achieved by humanity. Life-spans are way up, disease down, education and industry are booming, everyone has a cellphone, electoral democracy is now widespread, etc.
-- DRR