World System Theory Research

World system theory is a theory of social science, a analyzing and criticizing macrotheory, which emerged after 1970's. It pushes the length of time and the extensity of space of research objects to a unprecedented height, and deconstructs and reconstructs traditional social science. As a new theoretical paradigm, world system theory has its concepts and means and continuously develops and reconstructs in criticizing and self-criticizing; as a theory which unthinks traditional social science, it has great influences on history.World system theory comes from three theories: Firstly, Marxism. As a school of western Marxism,world system theory assimilates and makes an eclectic use of Marx's theory of capital accumulation and surplus value, Rosa Luxemburg's theory of "the third market", Lenin and Bukharin's theory of imperialism ; secondly, The Annales. Some thoughts of Wallerstein, the founder of world system theory, originate from The Annales. The influence of The Annales on world system theory are shown as the interdisciplinary theory, large-scale and long-term analyzing method, and the critique to capitalism; thirdly, the theory of development.In 1960's, modernalization theory had been proved failed. Dependent theory becomes strong during its critique on modernalization theory. Dependent theory can be seen as the embryo of world system theory. World system theory is a further development of dependent theory.Scholars of modern world system theory, represented by Wallerstein, hold that world system should be explored from two angles: intact state and dynamic state. Intact state means the structure of modern world system. It's economic structure is divided into core, semi-periphery and periphery.It's political structure means international system made up of nation-states. Dynamic state means the secular tendency and cycles of the development of modern world system. The expression of the broadening of the secular tendency is the expansion of capitalist world economy in space. It's depth is shown in the extension and infiltration of capitalist production relations into social life. The cycles include Kondratieff cycles, logistics, system accumulation cycles, and hegemonic cycles. The cycles embody the life rhythems of modern world system. The shortcomings of modern world system theory are economism, instrumentalist view of state, simplistic relations of center—periphery, defects on methodology and problems on the use and explanation of historical materials.Wallerstein and modern world system theory are sharply criticized by some scholars, which impels world system theory to develop and reconstruct. These scholars and theirtheories are:Abu-Lughod's 13th century world system theory, Wilkinson's civilization—world system theory, Frank and Gills's 5000-year world system theory, Chase -Dunn and Hall's comparing world system theory. These theories develop world system theory:(1) world system is extended in time and space. It can be extended to before 1500AD in time and includes the whole Asia and Europe continent in space; (2)world system is redefined. The trade of necessary goods is no longer the criterion of defining the boundary of world system ;(3) one vs many. Frank emphasizes the integrality of history and thinks that there is only one world system . Chase-Dunn/Hall emphasizes comparative analysis and holds that there are countless world systems; (4)continuity vs break.Abu-Lughod holds that world system is broken, Chase-Dunn/Hall thinks that world system can change in quality.Frank holds that the system only changes in quantity, not quality.World system theory has great influences on the study of history, which show in below: (1)Beyond the limits of subjects. Wallerstein suggests that the limits of subjects should be broken and promotes the unidisciplinary approach and constructing historical social science; (2)Deconstructing the myth of state. Wallerstein points out that nation-states are the outcome of modern world system. Itself cannot be effective analyzing unit.World system...