Christopher Chase-Dunn

world-systems theory

Lecture OutlineWorld-systems

Nested networks

Core/periphery relations

The evolution of world-systems

The comparative world-systems perspective

February 2

*C. Chase-Dunn and B. Lerro, Social Change, Chapter 2,” The comparative world-systems    approach” (course web site)

C. Chase-Dunn and T.D. Hall, Rise and Demise Thomas R. Shannon, An Introduction to the

World-Systems Perspective

Definition of a world-system

A system of societies, an intersocietal system Often multicultural: people with different cultures are

linked together by trade, communications, conflict and alliances

Example: the modern world-system of national societies: the U.S., Mexico, El Salvador, etc.

The whole systemSmall, Medium and Large world-systemsWorld means the world to which people are connectedOnly the most recent world-system is global

Nested interaction networks

Bulk goods network (BGN) Political-military network (PMN) Prestige goods network (PGN) Information network (IN)

Place-centric

Fall-off

Nested interaction nets

Core/periphery hierarchy

More core/periphery relations

Not all world-systems have core/periphery structures

Core/periphery differentiation (societies with different degrees of population density and different levels of complexity are interacting with one another

Core/periphery hierarchy: one society or some societies are dominating and exploiting other societies

Central system pmn chronograph

East/west chronograph

Iteration model

Rise, fall and upward sweeps