1World Systems Theory• Review chapter 1 and pp62-74 in Taylor and Flint• Skim chapter 3: Geography of Imperialisms• Immanuel Wallerstein (1930-)– Sociologist– Marxian approach– looking for a single theory that would explain and predict world eventsThree types of systems1. Mini-systems• Reciprocal-lineage mode of production2. “World” Empires• Redistributive tributary mode of production3. The World Economy• Capitalist mode of production1) A Single Capitalist World EconomyCapitalist mode of Production: Workers do not consume all they produce. Instead, production is for exchange in a market, which determines the price of a commodity through supply and demand.2) A System of Multiple Statesa) states protect those without powerb) states protect those with powerc) political fragmentation i) prevents price fixingii) prevents challenges to the systemThree Basic Elements of the World System23) A 3-tier hierarchy based on 2 processesPeripheral processes: primary economic activities, low wages, low value addedCore processes:Secondary, tertiary, quaternary processes, high wages, high value addedThree tiers: Core, Periphery and Semi-Periphery! Division of economic activities across the globe (the geography of international capitalism)Three Basic Elements of the World SystemA ‘contradiction’ in capitalism?• Owners dilemma:– You want wages as low as possible to keep profits as high as possible– You need consumers who can afford to purchase your products.Solutions:1. Government subsidizes labor costs2. Geographic expansionInternational Class MatrixGeographic distribution of class and trade relationshipsFour relationships:• Core owner and peripheral owner• Peripheral owner and peripheral worker• Core owner and core worker• Core worker and peripheral workerSeeks to explain political relations between core and periphery.3Workers OwnersCorePeripherySocial ImperialismCollaborationDivisionRepressionQuestions on class matrix• Will workers in the core and periphery always be divided?• Do the terms “owner” and “worker” make sense?• The problem with the term “elites”• If “collaboration” is necessary for the system to run, why does the core push for democracy and free markets in the periphery?Scale of Reality -- Global ScaleScale of Ideology -- State ScaleScale of Experience -- Local ScaleThe state acts as a filter between the local and the global.• The state can expose or protect localities to and from the global market.Political economy and geographic scales4Global cyclesLogistic waves (1050-1750)I. A: c. 1050 ------- c. 1250B: c. 1250 ------- c. 1450II. A: c. 1450--------c. 1600B: c. 1600--------c. 1750Kondratieff waves (1750-present) 50-60 year cycles– A-phase: innovation and growth– B-phase: stagnation or depressionINNOVATIONI. A. 1780/90---------1810/17 Steam powerB. 1814/17---------1844/51II. A. 1844/51---------1871/75 Railways/steelB. 1870/75---------1890/96III. A. 1890/96---------1914/20 Gas/electric power/chemB. 1914/20----------1940/45IV. A. 1940/45---------1967/73 Petrochemicals/electronicsB. 1967/73---------1989/92?V. A. 1989/92?--------- ? IT/biotech?Kondratieff cyclesKondratieff B-Phase• Four processes:– Production costs reduced by relocation– Mechanization– Rise in economic disparities– Flux period• Anti-systemic movements increase– Oppression increases– Expectations not met– Faltering power of ruling class5Role of semi-periphery• Mostly political– Prevents unity of periphery against core– Semi-peripheral states are often regional powers– Semi-periphery seeks to join core, therefore supports the systemWallerstein’s Short Hegemonies1. Dutch Half-Century, 1625-16702. United Kingdom Half-Century, 1830-18703. United States Quarter-Century, 1945-1970Based on economic lead, which enables political and military power.Not an absolute measure, but based on relative gap with competitors.6CRITICISMS OF WALLERSTEIN 1) CAPITALISM IS NOT ABOUT EXCHANGE AND TRADE BUT CONCERNS CLASS AND PRODUCTION RELATIONS.2) HIS MODEL IS TOO OVER-ARCHING AND HE GETS HIS HISTORY WRONG3) CHARACTERIZING STATES AS SEMI-PHERIPHERAL OVERSIMPLIFIES REALITY4) STATE POLICIES CANNOT BE REDUCED TO BEING AMATTER OF RESPONSES DEPENDING ON THE STATE POSITION IN THE WORLD ECONOMY5) HE LEAVES OUT CULTURAL, ETHNIC AND CERTAINECONOMIC FACTORS FROM HIS
View Full Document
Unlocking...