The World Systems Theory | Approach to World

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The World Systems Theory | Approach to World

World systems theory (also known as world-systems analysis or the world-systems perspective) is a multidisciplinary, macro-scale approach to world history and social change which emphasizes the world-system (and not nation-states) as the primary (but not exclusive) unit of social analysis.

“World-system” refers to the inter-regional and transnational division of labor, which divides the world into core countries, semi-periphery countries, and the periphery countries. Core countries focus on higher skill, capital-intensive production, and the rest of the world focuses on low-skill, labor-intensive production, and extraction of raw materials. This constantly reinforces the dominance of the core countries. Nonetheless, the system has dynamic characteristics, in part as a result of revolutions in transport technology, and individual states can gain or lose their core (semi-periphery, periphery) status over time.

This structure is unified by the division of labor. It is a world-economy rooted in a capitalist economy. For a time, certain countries become the world hegemon; during the last few centuries, as the world-system has extended geographically and intensified economically, this status has passed from the Netherlands to the United Kingdom and (most recently) to the United States.

World-systems theory has been examined by many political theorists and sociologists to explain the reasons for the rise and fall of nations, income inequality, social unrest, and imperialism.

The World Systems Theory Approach to World
The World Systems Theory Approach to World

Core Nations

Core nations appear to be powerful, wealthy and highly independent of outside control. They are able to deal with bureaucracies effectively; they have powerful militaries and can boast with strong economies. Due to resources that are available to them (mainly intellectual), they are able to be at the forefront of technological progress and have a significant influence on less developed non-core nations.

Semi-peripheral Nations

These regions have a less developed economy and are not dominant in international trade. In terms of their influence on the world economies, they end up midway between the core and periphery countries. However, they strive to get into a dominant position of the core nation, and it was proved historically that it is possible to gain major influence in the world and become a core country.

Peripheral nations

These are the nations that are the least economically developed. One of the main reasons for their peripheral status is the high percentage of uneducated people who can mainly provide cheap unskilled labor to the core nations. There is a very high level of social inequality, together with a relatively weak government that is unable to control the country’s economic activity and the extensive influence of the core nations.

The World Systems Theory
The World Systems Theory

Importance of studying world-systems theory

The process of humankind evolvement is usually dynamic and due to many economic, political and social factors, the dominance of certain countries may shift rapidly over time, which in turn, regularly changes the whole picture of world economics. This gives a huge field for studying and makes a world-systems theory interesting and useful for the effective development of economics, society and the world in general.

Such a subject as the world-systems theory is very vast and it might be difficult to grasp and cover all important issues of it. If you don’t have enough experience in executing complex writing assignments, the help of professional writers might be helpful. You will be able to know how to do it properly and this will make your study time stress-free. You will get an invaluable insight into how it should be done, which will definitely manifest itself in your highest academic achievements.

What Is The Wallerstein World Systems Theory?

World Systems Theory. The world-systems theory, developed by sociologist Immanuel Wallerstein, is an approach to world history and social change that suggests there is a world economic system in which some countries benefit while others are exploited.

What Are The 12 Systems Of The World?

The human body comprises 12 distinct human body systems, and their functions reflect their names: cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, immune, integumentary, lymphatic, muscular, nervous, reproductive, respiratory, skeletal and urinary.

Why Is The World Systems Theory Important?

Importance of studying world–systems theory

The process of humankind evolvement is usually dynamic and due to many economic, political and social factors, the dominance of certain countries may shift rapidly over the time, which in turn, regularly changes the whole picture of world economics.

What Is The Difference Between Dependency Theory And World Systems Theory?

What is the difference between dependency theory and world-systems theory? Hence, the dependency theory is a precursor of the world system & it is largely defunct as a political theory because “linkages between external phenomenon & internal class & power relations” are unclear. Therefore dependency is an approach, not a theory.