World Systems Theory  in Literature

World Systems Theory: Term, Definition and Concept

Term/Etymology:

World-Systems Theory, often referred to as world-system analysis, is a multidisciplinary approach to understanding the global socio-economic system and its historical development. Coined by sociologist Immanuel Wallerstein in the 1970s, the term emphasizes the interconnectedness of nations and regions within a larger world system, examining how economic and political structures shape and influence each other on a global scale.

Definition and Concept:

• Core-Periphery Structure: World-Systems Theory posits that the global system is divided into a core, semi-periphery, and periphery. The core nations dominate economically and technologically, while periphery nations are exploited for resources and labor. Semi-peripheral nations hold intermediate positions.
• Historical Development: The theory emphasizes historical development as a crucial aspect, examining how capitalist world-economies have evolved over time and identifying key systemic changes that impact nations and regions.
• Dependency and Unequal Exchange: World-Systems Theory highlights the dependency of periphery nations on core nations, resulting in unequal exchange of resources and wealth. Periphery nations often face exploitation and economic subordination.
• World-System Dynamics: The theory focuses on systemic dynamics, emphasizing the cyclical nature of economic development and decline. It suggests that the global system is not static and undergoes continuous transformation.
• Critique of Eurocentrism: World-Systems Theory challenges Eurocentric perspectives by providing a framework that considers the entire world as a connected system, acknowledging the contributions and influences of various regions rather than centering solely on Western perspectives.
• Role of State and Institutions: The theory examines the role of states and institutions in maintaining and perpetuating the global system, emphasizing the unequal power relations that exist on the international stage.

World Systems Theory: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Theorist	Works and Arguments
Immanuel Wallerstein	– The Modern World-System I: Capitalist Agriculture and the Origins of the European World-Economy in the Sixteenth Century – Wallerstein’s foundational work introducing the core-periphery structure and historical development in the context of the world-system.
	– The Modern World-System II: Mercantilism and the Consolidation of the European World-Economy, 1600-1750 – Further exploration of the world-system during the mercantilist era.
	– The Modern World-System III: The Second Era of Great Expansion of the Capitalist World-Economy, 1730s-1840s – Continuing the analysis into the 18th and 19th centuries.
	– World-Systems Analysis: An Introduction – A concise overview of key concepts and methods in world-systems analysis.
Samir Amin	– Unequal Development: An Essay on the Social Formations of Peripheral Capitalism – Amin’s critique of unequal development and dependency in peripheral capitalism.
Andre Gunder Frank	– Capitalism and Underdevelopment in Latin America – Frank’s examination of the role of capitalism in perpetuating underdevelopment in Latin America.
	– Dependence and Underdevelopment: Latin America’s Political Economy – Further exploration of dependence theory and underdevelopment in Latin America.
Fernand Braudel	– Civilization and Capitalism, 15th-18th Century, Volume I: The Structures of Everyday Life – Braudel’s influential work on the long-term structures of capitalism and its impact on civilization.

This table provides an overview of key theorists associated with World Systems Theory, along with some of their notable works and the main arguments presented in those works.

World Systems Theory: Key Principles

1. Core-Periphery Structure: The world is divided into a core, semi-periphery, and periphery. Core nations are economically and technologically dominant, while periphery nations are exploited for resources and labor. Semi-peripheral nations hold intermediate positions.
2. Historical Development: The theory emphasizes the historical development of the global system. It examines how capitalist world-economies have evolved over time, identifying key systemic changes and their impacts on nations and regions.
3. Dependency and Unequal Exchange: World-Systems Theory highlights the dependency of periphery nations on core nations, resulting in unequal exchange of resources and wealth. Periphery nations often face exploitation and economic subordination.
4. World-System Dynamics: The global system is dynamic, characterized by cyclical patterns of economic development and decline. The theory suggests that the system is not static but undergoes continuous transformation.
5. Capitalism as a World System: Capitalism is viewed as a global system rather than a series of isolated national economies. The theory considers the interconnectedness of economic and political structures on a global scale.
6. Critique of Eurocentrism: World-Systems Theory challenges Eurocentric perspectives by providing a framework that considers the entire world as a connected system. It acknowledges the contributions and influences of various regions, avoiding a solely Western-centric viewpoint.
7. Role of State and Institutions: The theory examines the role of states and institutions in maintaining and perpetuating the global system. It emphasizes the unequal power relations that exist on the international stage.
8. Long-Term Structural Analysis: World-Systems Theory encourages a long-term structural analysis of social and economic phenomena. This approach allows for the identification of enduring patterns and structures within the global system.
9. Interdisciplinary Approach: The theory adopts an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on insights from sociology, economics, political science, and history to analyze the complex interactions within the world-system.
10. Global Perspective: World-Systems Theory promotes a global perspective, encouraging scholars to look beyond national boundaries when analyzing economic and political phenomena. It recognizes the interconnectedness of nations and regions in a larger global context.

World Systems Theory: Application in Literary Critiques

Steps:

1. Identify Core-Periphery Dynamics:
   • Examine how the literature reflects the core-periphery structure of the world-system. Identify characters, settings, and plot elements that represent core, semi-periphery, and periphery positions.
2. Analyze Economic Relationships:
   • Explore how economic relationships are portrayed in the literary work. Look for instances of unequal exchange, dependency, and exploitation between characters or social groups within the narrative.
3. Historical Context:
   • Consider the historical context presented in the literature. Analyze how the narrative engages with historical developments and changes within the global system. Look for reflections of key systemic shifts over time.
4. Representation of Power Relations:
   • Investigate how power relations are depicted in the literary work. Examine the influence of core nations or dominant groups on the marginalized or periphery elements within the story.
5. Critique of Eurocentrism:
   • Assess whether the literary work challenges or perpetuates Eurocentric perspectives. Look for instances where the narrative either reinforces or subverts Western-centric viewpoints, considering alternative perspectives.
6. Role of State and Institutions:
   • Examine the role of states and institutions within the literary context. Analyze how these entities contribute to the maintenance or disruption of power dynamics in the world-system as portrayed in the narrative.
7. Long-Term Structural Analysis:
   • Apply a long-term structural analysis to the literary work. Identify recurring themes, symbols, or motifs that reflect enduring patterns within the global system and consider how they contribute to the overall meaning of the text.
8. Interdisciplinary Insights:
   • Incorporate insights from other disciplines, such as sociology or political science, to enrich the literary analysis. Consider how broader social, economic, and political theories intersect with the themes and characters in the literature.

Example:

Literary Work: “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe

Application: In “Things Fall Apart,” the core-periphery dynamics are evident through the depiction of the Igbo society and its interactions with European colonizers. The Igbo people represent a semi-peripheral position, while the European colonizers embody the core. Economic relationships are explored through the trade of resources, such as palm oil, and the subsequent exploitation of the Igbo people. The historical context of European colonization is crucial to understanding the shifts in power and the impact on the indigenous culture. The novel critiques Eurocentrism by providing a perspective that challenges colonial narratives, offering a nuanced portrayal of the consequences of imperialism. The role of institutions, including the British colonial administration, is analyzed for their contributions to power imbalances. Through a long-term structural analysis, recurring themes of cultural clash and resistance emerge, enriching the overall interpretation of the text. This interdisciplinary approach incorporates sociological and historical insights to deepen the understanding of the literary work in the context of World-Systems Theory.

World Systems Theory: Criticism Against It

1. Overemphasis on Economic Factors:
   • Critics argue that World-Systems Theory places excessive emphasis on economic factors as the primary determinants of global dynamics. The theory may oversimplify the complex interplay of cultural, political, and social factors, neglecting the multifaceted nature of global relationships.
2. Neglect of Agency and Local Variation:
   • Critics contend that the theory tends to overlook the agency of individual actors and local variations within nations and regions. By focusing on broad systemic patterns, World-Systems Theory may neglect the diversity of experiences and actions at the local level, undermining the importance of agency in shaping historical trajectories.
3. Eurocentrism in Dependency Theory:
   • Dependency theory, a component of World-Systems Theory, has been criticized for its Eurocentrism. Some argue that the theory tends to frame development and underdevelopment from a Western perspective, leading to a bias that may not adequately account for the unique historical and cultural contexts of non-Western societies.
4. Static Nature of Core-Periphery Analysis:
   • Critics contend that the core-periphery model in World-Systems Theory can be overly static. The theory might not fully capture the dynamic nature of global systems and the potential for shifts in economic and political power over time. The world is seen as evolving, but the core-periphery model may not account for rapid changes or unconventional developments.
5. Limited Predictive Power:
   • Some critics argue that World-Systems Theory has limited predictive power, particularly in forecasting specific events or outcomes. The theory provides a broad framework for understanding historical patterns but may struggle to offer precise predictions about the future due to the complexity and unpredictability of global dynamics.

World Systems Theory: Terms Used in It

Term	Literary Device
Core-Periphery	Foreshadowing the dominance of core nations in settings and character dynamics.
Dependency Theory	Metaphorically weaving narratives of economic interdependence, portraying characters as dependent actors.
Unequal Exchange	Symbolism depicting trade imbalances as a metaphor for exploitation within character interactions.
Historical Materialism	Allegorical storytelling tracing societal development through the lens of evolving economic structures.
Imperialism/Colonialism	Irony and juxtaposition to illustrate the consequences of imperialism and colonization on characters and cultures.
World-System Dynamics	Narrative structure shifts mirroring the cyclical nature of economic rise and fall within the global system.
Critique of Eurocentrism	Subverting perspectives through character voices or narrative choices, challenging or reinforcing Eurocentric views.
Long-Term Structural Analysis	Motif repetition indicating enduring global patterns, subtly shaping the narrative’s overarching message.
Interconnectedness	Symbolic motifs emphasizing characters’ interconnectedness or isolation as reflections of global dynamics.
Global Perspective	Narrative lens expansion beyond national borders, providing a panoramic view of characters and their struggles in a global context.

World Systems Theory: Suggested Readings

1. Arrighi, Giovanni. The Long Twentieth Century: Money, Power, and the Origins of Our Times. Verso, 1994.
2. Frank, Andre Gunder. Capitalism and Underdevelopment in Latin America: Historical Studies of Chile and Brazil. Monthly Review Press, 1967.
3. Wallerstein, Immanuel. The Modern World-System I: Capitalist Agriculture and the Origins of the European World-Economy in the Sixteenth Century. University of California Press, 2011.
4. Wallerstein, Immanuel. World-Systems Analysis: An Introduction. Duke University Press, 2004.
5. Wallerstein, Immanuel. The Modern World-System III: The Second Era of Great Expansion of the Capitalist World-Economy, 1730s-1840s. University of California Press, 2011.
6. Wallerstein, Immanuel. Utopistics: Or, Historical Choices of the Twenty-first Century. New Press, 1998.