Immanuel Wallerstein in "The Rise and Future Demise of the World Capitalist System: Concepts for Comparative Analysis" talks about the world capitalist system or what he calls the world systems theory. The author insists on using the word 'system analysis' instead of 'systems theory' because of reasons pertaining to the field of sociology and its development; stressing the need for theorizing social science instead. The author clarifies this through what he calls 'universalizing universalism', in which the social scientists were faced with the problem of generalizing the concepts based on european countries onto other countries, but then came across the process as being problematic because the people are different. This is reflected in another article by the same author and the point is validated by mentioning the existence of area studies as a field, showing that the people are indeed different and might have different systems.
However, the other sub or mini-systems were absorbed by a single world system according to the author. This world system is defined as having a single division of labor distribution and having multiple cultural systems. This world system has then two varieties, one with a common political system and one without. These two can also be designated as world-empires and world-economies. The world system classifies all of the states into three categories; the core, peripheral and the semiperipheral states. In this system the core exploits the periphery and the semi periphery states. while the semi periphery strive towards becoming like the core states. The author then gives a brief history of the development of the world system from agricultural based then through the industrial revolution into the modern day system. The author also states that it was during the industrial revolution that there was the birth of the urban proletariat and with that came the spirit of 'anticapitalism'. This manifested onto the physical plane in the form of trade unions and socialists parties amongst other manifestations. However, the author regards socialism as having faded into the background and can only work towards the long-term realization of its goals.
This world system is described as being capitalistic in nature and therefore the author also uses the term 'world capitalist system' to denote the same system. The author then points out two fundamental contradictions that the system entails. The first contradiction states that the system involves the retraction and then insertion of surplus from the majority in order to make profit. This act harms the nature of the system and might lead towards the demise of the system. The second contradiction states that in order to eliminate short term resistance by oppositional movements through co-opting or sharing a little part of their privilege; the tenants of that class effectively give the opportunity for a next oppositional movement. The author then states that returning to the scholarly enterprise, the work should be focused towards parts in this system, and that this can be done through comparative analysis. The author then encourages the use of both the classical and scientific method, because according to the author, "we are men with hybris and original sin and therefore seek the good, the true, and the beautiful."
In my opinion the author does an excellent job in providing a bigger picture by stressing the need for studying the world system and its development. The author provides us with the gloomy reality of the capitalist system and at the same time gives us a silver lining by providing room for oppositional movement and further evolution. Also, I believe the author synthesizes the great debate between the classical and scientific approach into one that makes use of both to arrive to the good, the true and the beautiful.
However, the other sub or mini-systems were absorbed by a single world system according to the author. This world system is defined as having a single division of labor distribution and having multiple cultural systems. This world system has then two varieties, one with a common political system and one without. These two can also be designated as world-empires and world-economies. The world system classifies all of the states into three categories; the core, peripheral and the semiperipheral states. In this system the core exploits the periphery and the semi periphery states. while the semi periphery strive towards becoming like the core states. The author then gives a brief history of the development of the world system from agricultural based then through the industrial revolution into the modern day system. The author also states that it was during the industrial revolution that there was the birth of the urban proletariat and with that came the spirit of 'anticapitalism'. This manifested onto the physical plane in the form of trade unions and socialists parties amongst other manifestations. However, the author regards socialism as having faded into the background and can only work towards the long-term realization of its goals.
This world system is described as being capitalistic in nature and therefore the author also uses the term 'world capitalist system' to denote the same system. The author then points out two fundamental contradictions that the system entails. The first contradiction states that the system involves the retraction and then insertion of surplus from the majority in order to make profit. This act harms the nature of the system and might lead towards the demise of the system. The second contradiction states that in order to eliminate short term resistance by oppositional movements through co-opting or sharing a little part of their privilege; the tenants of that class effectively give the opportunity for a next oppositional movement. The author then states that returning to the scholarly enterprise, the work should be focused towards parts in this system, and that this can be done through comparative analysis. The author then encourages the use of both the classical and scientific method, because according to the author, "we are men with hybris and original sin and therefore seek the good, the true, and the beautiful."
In my opinion the author does an excellent job in providing a bigger picture by stressing the need for studying the world system and its development. The author provides us with the gloomy reality of the capitalist system and at the same time gives us a silver lining by providing room for oppositional movement and further evolution. Also, I believe the author synthesizes the great debate between the classical and scientific approach into one that makes use of both to arrive to the good, the true and the beautiful.
I like that you analyze both his theory and methods. I agree that his approach is a good blend between the scientific and classical approach. His theory has some utility, though his conclusion that the capitalist world system will collapse appears unlikely at the present moment in time.
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