World Systems Theory

Key Features of the Theory: An Analysis

Three main characteristics distinguish world systems theory:

• 1.
  It is ontologically and epistemologically systemic.
• 2.
  It provides a historical explanation of the development of social structures.
• 3.
  It provides an account of the spatial division of the world.

World systems theory is arguably the most systemic approach to understanding international relations. As such, it offers a radically different perspective on world politics. Rather than a world of states, diplomats, and international organizations, the focus is on a global economic system. Wallerstein's earliest research was on the characteristics of poverty in Africa. He came to the conclusion that it was not possible to understand the persistence of poverty by studying individual countries. Instead, the poverty of specific countries could be understood only by considering their position within a wider economic system and international division of labor. That a higher level of analysis was necessary led to the development of the idea of a world system. The “world” in world systems does not necessarily refer to a global reach. Instead, a world system is the smallest unit of analysis that can be described as a stand-alone entity, or, in other words, can be investigated without reference to elements outside of the system. Within a world system, all developments can be analyzed with reference to forces within the system. Further, Wallerstein argues that the character of a world system determines all features of the social world at any particular time. So, for example, in the current world system, key features such as states, markets, and even the family are produced through the workings of the system. Additionally, except for periods of crisis, when a system is about to collapse, there is very little potential for agency—in other words, there are few possibilities for escaping the constraints of the system.

A second key feature of a world systems approach is that it provides an account of social change. The current world system, which Wallerstein labels the “modern world system,” is one of a succession of world systems. There have been two main types of world systems: (1) world economies and (2) world empires. The modern world system is an example of a world economy, and, according to Wallerstein, there have been examples of world [Page 2759]systems of both types. What differentiates world systems from world economies is the system of political control. In world empires, there is one political center that has dominated the whole system (e.g., Rome in the Roman Empire), whereas in world economies, there are multiple, competing centers of political control. In the modern world system, these competing systems have been states. Historically, world empires have tended to be more enduring compared with world economies. The modern world system, however, has been remarkably stable. A number of factors have contributed to this stability, one being the efficiency and expansive character of capitalism. A second feature has been the emergence of a “geoculture,” a set of ideas and norms that has acted to provide legitimation for the key features of the modern world system.

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