World-Systems Theory - Philosophical Concept | Alexandria
World Systems Theory: A perspective that views the global economy as an integrated social system, composed of core, semi-periphery, and periphery nations engaged in a complex web of economic and political relationships. Often misunderstood as simply a description of global inequality, it is a dynamic framework exploring the historical evolution and inherent contradictions of global capitalism itself.
While precursors undoubtedly existed, the formal articulation of world systems theory emerged in the early 1970s, largely through the work of sociologist Immanuel Wallerstein. His seminal work, The Modern World-System, published in 1974, built upon dependency theory and challenged modernization theory's linear progression narrative. Thinkers like Fernand Braudel, whose work on the Mediterranean world challenged conventional economic history, prefigured some of the theory's concepts. The turbulent political landscape of the late 20th century, marked by decolonization movements and persistent global inequalities, provided fertile ground for the theory's growth.
Since its inception, World Systems Theory has been subject to considerable debate and refinement. Critics question its determinism and potential oversimplification of national trajectories. Yet, the theory's influence is undeniable. Andre Gunder Frank’s work further developed understanding of dependency, while Giovanni Arrighi expanded the focus to cycles of capital accumulation. World Systems Theory's applications extended beyond economics, influencing studies of culture, politics, and environment. The ongoing debate regarding China's current role—is it a rising core power or a uniquely positioned semi-peripheral force—highlights the model's continued relevance.
The legacy of World Systems Theory resides in its persistent call for critical examination of interconnectedness. It forces us to question assumptions of national autonomy and developmental paths. Its contemporary value lies in its capacity to illuminate global power dynamics and the uneven consequences of globalization, prompting ongoing empirical investigations. How will current shifts in global power reshape the world system architecture in the coming decades?