For most of its history, the science of anthropology has focused upon the influence of the city, state, and/or western civilization on tribal and peasant communities. Within the past decade a number of theories have arisen which suggest that tribal and peasant communities have had a profound influence on cities and the modern world. Through the use of archaeological and ethnographic data, this paper illustrates the application of the notion of world paradigm, the rural revolution, and modernization with particular attention paid to the world's political, economic, and communication arenas. A 9-item list of references and a list of classroom discussion topics are included. (Author/DB)