The story of Nehor that was just concluded is a necessary prelude to the story of Amlici. Amlici is "after the order of the man that slew Gideon by the sword, who was executed according to the law."
This circumlocutious reference to Nehor tells us much about Amlici before we understand any more about him. We know what his political/economic ideas are, and we know that they are considered subversive in Nephite culture. Mormon's rather unsubtle reference to Nehor's execution sets up Amlici as undesirable even before we truly meet him.
What we will find in the story of Amlici is that he is of far greater importance to Nephite history than Nehor was. While Nehor would appear to get top billing, Amlici has a much greater negative impact on Zarahemla.
In addition to learning that Amlici is after the order of Nehor (without mentioning that name) we learn also that Amlici is a "wise man as to the wisdom of the world," a condition that appears directly related to being after the order of Nehor. It would appear that there is a tight correlation between the ideals of the "Nehors" and the learning of the world.
To what world does Mormon refer? If we read this in a modern sense we read it as a church/secular division. It is clearly a reference to a competing idea, but in Mormon's world, that division was not between church and secular but between completely different competing political/religious systems.
As we have seen, the Nehors fit into a complex of ideas that fit well with the general nature of Mesoamerican culture that is known from archaeology. These are the kingmen, who espouse not only kings, but the social stratification that attends kingdoms. These are also those who are accused of wearing "fine clothing," which we have also seen as a key element of social stratification which was antithetical to Nephite ideals.
To what world does Mormon refer? He refers to the competing religions and social systems of the various cultures that surround the Nephite society in Zarahemla.