World Systems by a Historian Immanuel Wallerstein - Essay Example

World Systems The entire world that we live in is basically not functioning due to a number on independent events and incidents. The world systems approach says that whenever there is an event occurring at one part of the world, there is a reaction in some other part of the world. So, hence evolutions that occur or have been occurring throughout the world are a part of globalization, however this globalization is still a modern concept in relation to the approach to world systems that is an old concept, dating even back to 1500. (Skele, 2005) World systems are hence a system that has been developed by a historian Immanuel Wallerstein. He talked about economic forces interacting not within limits, rather on a global basis. This he said would be because of globalization and trade links throughout the world. However, he also said that the when world cannot be said to be in regards with this, rather it can be said that these changes and interactions can be talked to be about on a large scale. He gave the idea of the existence of three factors that shall be talked about in the following paragraphs. He related his ideas to capitalist and non-capitalist movements. He explained how certain societies developed while others did not because of their positions on world today and previously. These societies obviously in the context of social systems in accordance with world's systems approach. (Answers.com, n.d.) World systems theory does not come under social sciences by any way. It basically creates a wholesome form of a theory that takes into account economic, political and social characteristics and phenomenon that can be related to the events occurring throughout the world. Immanuel Wallerstein came up with this theory. His approach was very provocative and would focus on not just mere analytical proof rather on justifications related to psychological as well as ideological in nature. World systems approach aims at being a telescope rather than a microscope so as to focus on events and speculate accordingly. Global interaction is a main aim to understanding how events occur throughout the world. Wallerstein talked about world systems exiting in three categories. These categories being pertinent to specific areas places and countries. These three categories include the following: Core Periphery Semi-periphery The differences between rich and poor can be shown through the relationship that is depicted by core and periphery. This shows also, the income disparities that exist between the two. Semi periphery however, is more complex. It basically has a relationship with the others that is a little difficult to understand and relate to. Wallerstein overall had the grasp of all the key elements or categories and hence could then be used in the controlling forces that define the changes that occur initiating or maintaining changes and movement in the world. Wallerstein was one often first to think of a system that was different than the earlier developed theories relating to nations and countries and their movements or changes. He described how this theory can be used to study further how all global entities interact with each other. This theory was developed after the Marxist one. The latter provided concepts relating to how different individual units like each country go through each stage of functioning that is either development, sustaining or even in some cases under- development. Dependency theories as they were called would focus on "unequal exchange' that is richer countries would be forced into having trading partnerships with poorer countries so that transfer of excess surplus from the rich countries to the poor ones could take place. Theorists claiming and supporting such views were people by the names of Frank, Samir Amin, Celsu Fertudo, and Henrique Cordoso. (Sommers, 2005) Effects In and during this century, we can see the effects of world systems on events by various examples. For instance, world labor regime when developed it brought ILO or international Labor Organization to it. Now, when this "event' is connected to the approach laid down by Wallerstein of world systems, we can say that it provided a framework for boosting of labor work on a worldwide scale. Hence, the implementation and adoption of world labor incentives and standards can be based on this world systems approach. (Mulcahy, Michael, 2004) World systems theory also again assumes importance when we relate it to international events. Theorists supporting worlds systems theory say that economic factors function as forces that can be prime drivers to sending countries into high r low disparity regions or paths. However, when taken political as well as cultural and military related factors together with economic factors, we can say that a lot of expansive outcomes pertaining to developmental results can take place. The many things that come under this are, economic achievements, rights of humans, freedoms and education etc. (Clark, 2000) It can also be said that ethnic priorities are also relate to how world systems effects are shown this can be dine through their transformation, creation and development. In other words, how the creation, destruction, transformation or change in or of ethnic groups can take place through incorporation of world systems old/ conventional or new. (Hall, n.d.) World systems' approach effects when again seen can be said to be subjective of other organizations practices as well. Like in the case of public administration in USA, it can be said that world systems, more specifically new worlds systems can be said to be in relation to this. The public administration software and the processes involved in its reformation can be said to add t the efficient of it. Hence, many organizations can also benefit from this and initiate cost savings through this approach by also employing leadership skills and extraordinary services. When considering the effect on the world systems themselves, it can be said that events such as in Asia cannot be properly addressed through the use of this theory. This can be supported by saying that the forces pertinent to those of Asia's that make the movements or go about initiating changes, are not on much firm grounds, as to be completely adherent to the concepts laid down by the world systems approach. However, Wallerstein's theory of world systems can be said to create and bring about massive development in the approach to in today also or in future nations interact and how changes are set. Current and future development of the global system can hence then is called to be instructed by the approach of world systems. (Sommers, 2005) Works Cited 1. Answers.com (n.d.) Worlds systems. [Internet] available from: http://www.answers.com/topic/world-system [Accessed 27 September 2008] 2. Clark, Rob (2000) Re-conciling world system and world society paradigms. [Internet] Available from: http://www.allacademic.com//meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/0/9/6/3/6/pages96360/p96360-1.php [Accessed 27 September 2008] 3. Hall, Thomas D. (n.d.) Ethnic processes [Internet] Available from: http://www2.hawaii.edu/fredr/hall.htm [Accessed 27 September 2008] 4. Mulcahy, Michael (2004) The formation of a world labour regime. [Internet] Available from: http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/1/1/0/8/8/p110883_index.html [Accessed 27 September 2008] 5. Skele, Mikels (2005) History of the world system since 1500. [Internet] Available from: http://209.85.135.104/searchq=cache:V1Y1OmY9l9EJ:www.webster.edu/depts/artsci/hpl/hplsyllabi/05fall/intl1500-01.pdf+world+systems+since+1500&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=7&gl=pk [Accessed 27 September 2008] 6. Sommers, Jeff (2005) Wallerstein, Immanuel. Worlds Systems Analysis: An introduction [Internet] Available from: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0IMR/is_1-2_80/ai_n15390088/pg_2tag=artBody;col1 [Accessed 27 September 2008] Read More