how was the world interconnected in the early modern period, according to the introduction by Pomeranz and Topik? In what ways did the non-Western "peripheries" still have influence in their economic roles?

While some say the continents were once connect (Pangaea) and have since "spread out", that is an illogical explanation. There is land underneath the oceans, and contrary to Pangaea, Africa does NOT nicely fit into the gap between North and South America (at least not to scale!) Do a little research for yourself on that theory. The Bible says that massive amounts of water fell from the atmosphere and the "fountains of the deep" burst during the worldwide flood, and that after the waters began to evaporate a bit, the mountains and valleys formed. Look it up in the Bible starting with Genesis 6. This would explain why sea shells are found on mountain tops, etc.

Explanation:

The ice caps gradually metlted and covered the paths between Russia and Alaska (the Bering Strait) and probably many other connections between continents.