World system theory was born in the United States in the mid-1970s, introduced by Immanuel
Wallerstein. This theory is a continuation of the debate between adherents of modernization and
growth development theory which received criticism from the dependency theory in Latin America.
According to him, the existing modern world system is the world capitalist economic system. A system
whose parts are integrated on the foundation of the relationship between production and consumption
as a form of resistance to the old power (king, feudalist) with a cohesive political character. This
development was preceded by the formation of agricultural capitalism in Europe which destroyed the
landlord / feudalism system. With the development of science and the outbreak of the industrial
revolution in England, capitalism in Europe has progressed so rapidly that it has undergone a
transformation to industrial capitalism.
Wallerstein stated that the capitalist system has become a system used by many countries and agrees
with the views of the Marxists in the importance of determining economic factors and their dominance
on ideological factors in global politics, and that economy is the dichotomy between capital and labor,
which described the world view through the stages of economic development such as feudalism and
capitalism. But on the other hand, according to Wallerstein, the world is too complex if it is only divided
into 2 poles and if it only focuses on social class (proletariat and bourgeoisie), because in reality there
are countries that are not included in these two categories. Therefore, World system theory acts as a
neo-Marxism view that emphasizes more to the structure in the international system.
Wallerstein believes in the world economy as an unbalanced development which has resulted in a
capitalist world system that is divided into three types of classes; core, semi-periphery, and periphery
and that the states can move between these classes.
Conceptual definition: World system theory is a macro sociological perspective that seeks to explain the
dynamics of the "capitalist world economy" as a "total social system". World systems theory is a political
and intellectual endeavor. It simultaneously falls into the fields of historical sociology and economic
history. In addition, because of its emphasis on development and unequal opportunities across
countries, it has been embraced by development theorists and practitioners. (Sorinel, 2010)
Operational definition:
- World Economy: a world system in which two or more regions are interdependent with respect
to necessities like food, fuel, and protection, and two or more polities compete for
domination without the emergence of one single center forever.
- Division of classes (core, semi-periphery, and periphery):
1. Core: countries that are considered advanced in terms of economic, technological, and
production income are more varied in large numbers.
2. Semi-periphery: countries that are economically a mix of core areas and peripheral areas, and
3. Periphery: countries with low economies, minimal technological progress, tend to be simple
production.
- State’s mobility: The emphasis in this theory is that countries in the world can go up and down
between classes. The core state could be a semi-peripheral country, a semi-peripheral country
could be a core or peripheral country, and a peripheral country could become a semi-peripheral
country. This is evident in World War II, Britain and the Netherlands, which were previously
degenerate core countries, were replaced by the United States after the devastating destruction
in Europe.
References
Duke University Press. (2004). World System Analysis: an introduction.
Kardulias, P. N. (2010). World-Systems Applications for Understanding the Bronze Age in the Eastern
Mediterranean.
Martínez-Vela, C. A. (2001). World Systems Theory.
Mishra, R. (2013). World System Theory. Understanding the Capitalist Design.
Sorinel, C. (2010). IMMANUEL WALLERSTEIN’S WORLD SYSTEM THEORY.
