Session 16: The End is Near.

Immanuel Wallerstein is renowned for developing the best-version of the world systems approach. World system analysis is basically a multidisciplinary approach, which analyses world history and social change on a macro scale. This approach, unlike other concepts in international relations, focuses on the world systems instead of states.

Two world systems have been explained in the article; world economy and world empires. Wallerstein has used the following analogy in explaining the concept of world systems approach, ‘It has the characteristics of an organism, in that is has a lifespan over which its characteristics change in some respects and remain stable in others’. He explains how world economy has been more prevalent and dominating over the course of history and how over the last few centuries, power (hegemony) has shifted from Netherlands to Britain and currently the United States. The world system has not only expanded geographically but has also strengthened economically.

Carlos A. Martínez Vela, a famous social scientist, has critically analyzed the piece and has further elaborated Wallerstein’s concept about world systems. He has traced the rise of capitalist world economy from 1450-1640. According to Carlos A. Martínez-Vela, Wallerstein’s view about the rise of capitalism was ‘a contingent, not inevitable’ outcome of the lengthened span of feudalism from 1290-1450.

Wallerstein’s views were received with criticism, most notable from Marx. However, the author’s stance is fairly reasonable and he has backed his arguments with reason and evidence. He refuses to refer to this approach as just a ‘theory’ and calls it ‘knowledge movement’ instead. He has explained how industrialization in Europe has led to unequal development across the globe and that maybe, for capitalism, the end is near. 

http://web.mit.edu/esd.83/www/notebook/WorldSystem.pdf