2. WALLERSTEIN'S WORLD-SYSTEMS
The world-systems theory stresses tha
t world-systems should be the basic
unit of social analysis refers to the
international division of labor
core countries
semi-periphery countries
periphery countries
model makes an attempt to explain
one large world economy
3 major groupings
Core
peripheral,
Semi=peripheral
4. WEAKNESS
Constantly changing state of the world economy
Fewer and fewer countries fall into this category as time
goes on and globalization expands
Wallerstein’s “external” economy label can be no longer
applied
E.g. China
Before: closed economy with Mao Zedong’s social and
economic reforms
Now: open economy with international trade under the new
open door policy
5. WEAKNESSES
Negative Example
Colonial America
Exhibit characteristics from
the “periphery” and “core”
categories
Semi-periphery economy
Lack of a strong Central
Government
E.g. communities – vital role in
enforcing law; laborers get
tortures while gentlemen gen
to be released on fine
6. STRENGTHS
Acts as a guide to describe
changes that led to shape the
world into what it is today.
Focuses on Western Europe
between 1450 and 1670
Period of significant
development
7. STRENGTHS
Globalization theorists can also show how
dependency is not a one way process
Interdependency
Wallerstein was one of the first to recognize
“globalization” of the world + international division of
labor as basis of global inequality
8. STRENGTHS
Wallerstein’s model= dynamic
Allows for movement and change
“semi=peripheral”
Core
Peripheral
Allows for systems that are
neither this nor that
Enough to encompass regions all
over the world during this time
period