Immanuel Wallerstein Connor Fuson And Grant Gilcrease World-Systems Theory Immanuel Wallerstein Connor Fuson And Grant Gilcrease

Immanuel Wallerstein Born September 28, 1930 Still alive today Raised in New York City Sparked interest for studying world affairs Was married but got divorced Has a daughter

Immanuel Wallerstein Best known world system analyst Studied rise of capitalism Draws on Karl Marx for influence Published The Modern World System in 1974 Published more than 30 geopolitical essays

World-Systems Theory Draws upon and redefines the Dependency Theory Invented notion of Core and Periphery countries Core countries are defined as wealthy Periphery countries are defined as poor and undeveloped Poor nations feed resources to wealthy nations Wealthy nations provide capital to poor nations Defines a system as “a unit with a single division of labor and multiple cultural systems” Describes distribution of resources among Cores, Semi-Periphery, and Periphery

Core Nations Economically diverse and Wealthy Powerful Economy and Military Large Taxation to fund infrastructure Highly Industrialized Three types of dominance according to Wallerstein Productivity- higher quality, cheaper products Trade- favorable balance of trade (sell more than they buy) Financial - control of worldwide financial resources Examples: United States, France, most Western European nations

Semi-Periphery Nations Have attributes of both Core and Periphery Mostly industrialized and capitalist Typically located geographically between Core and Periphery Extremely influential Balance international economy Maintain political stability Mediator for Core and Periphery countries affairs Examples: Mexico, Russia, China

Periphery Nations Lesser developed Not much wealth Not much sovereignty (exploited by Core countries usually) Lack of technology/healthcare/education/government Excess of natural recourses Examples: Every African country, except South Africa

Map of Earth as Defined by World-System Theory

Relationships Between Different Classifications of Nations Core: Recieve cheap labor and resources from Periphery Provide high quality, cheap consumer products Semi Periphery: Maintains balance and trade between Core And Periphery. Also supplies some resources while receiving some goods Periphery: Receive consumer products while contributing cheap resources and labor