Font Size: a A A

World-system Marxism: Theory Carding·International Perspective·Value Of Enlightenment

Posted on:2011-06-19Degree:DoctorType:Dissertation
Country:ChinaCandidate:J ZhangFull Text:PDF
GTID:1116360305953815Subject:Foreign Marxism
Abstract/Summary:PDF Full Text Request
Wallerstein's world-system theory is called as "the world-system of Marxism" by western academics which absorbs and compromises Marx's theory of capital accumulation and surplus value. It was a critical research from the perspective of the world division of labor in the capitalist world-system, trying to rebuild a new world system. The theory suggests that because of the role of the fundamental contradiction of capitalism, the modern world system has been in trouble in the economic, political, cultural and other aspects, we should use Marxism which is a critical study of capitalism to guide the future of mankind. As China's position in the world system changes and deepening in the study of Marxism, world system theory as a theoretical reference body, though not perfect, but still has a high theoretical reference value. Exploring the theoretical paradigm of world system theory, making correct assessments, studying the contradictions and conflicts of the contemporary world system, and constructing a reasonable international political and economic new order is no doubt of great theoretical value and practical significance.This paper is a theoretical and practical research on international relations in the perspective of the world-system theory. Specifically, the study idea is: in the horizon "world system" as core concept, based on the world-system theoretical framework, trying to explore and research the realities of the modern world-system, Thus we can analyze China's period of transition in the contemporary world system, opportunities, challenges and countermeasures. Full-text is composed of the following components:Chapter 1, Introduction. The main topic of this part describes the background and significance; domestic and foreign research the status quo; research ideas and frameworks; research methods and innovations.Chapter 2, An analysis on the formation background, theoretical origins and development process of the world system theory. After World War II, the smooth development and competition in developed countries, the constant struggle of developing countries to fight for political and economic rights as well as formation of the Cold War world system is the profound reality background of the theory. While the post-war development of Western social science theories appears paradox, the overall tendency of Marxism studies and combination of political science and economics research trend is its background which academic ideas generated by. Wallerstein constructed world system theory absorbing and transforming other ideological and cultural reasonable elements .Among them, it's most obvious links is with the Annales school's, before and after the succession of dependency theory, but also have heritage and development of Marxism. At the same time, the creation of world-system theory is inseparable of Wallerstein's personal academic history, academic and political positions. The above analysis of the problems of the world system theory Contributes to a more accurate reading.Chapter 3, Explaining the theoretical framework and basic contents of the world system theory. As a theory method, the world system theory study the capitalist system since the 16th century, as the research object, from the capitalist world economy's start and development, to historical worldwide political, economic and cultural changes in the structure of the system research, it provides a new theoretical paradigm for the study of contemporary capitalism. "World system" is a world-system theory, the most fundamental and core concepts, but also the starting point of analysis, both the nature and the physical nature of the methodology. All the research work is on this basis of World-system theory to explore the global nature of capitalism as a socio-historical phenomenon of the structure and processes. Time and space are running on two dimensions of the world system, namely the world system of operation and development is of both the depth of time and space breadth. In space, the modern world system is capitalist world economy. It has been divided into central, semi-edge and the edge of the three-tier area as a result of an international division of labor, its location can be increased or decreased, and the entire world economy expands to tendencies. In time, the world system will be a long-term Cycle fluctuations, it will also make a structural change in itself, which expressed as circadian rhythm and long-term trends. The modern world system is an economic, political, and cultural composition of three basic dimensions. That is an integrated world economy, multi-ethnic system and multi-cultural body. In the world economy, the economic function of the modern world-system is decisive factor on a political body, culture, physical existence and development. Wallerstein often use it as a synonym for the modern world-system. Only put the history of capitalism on the political, economic and culture system, can we truly understand the "five centuries of the world-system" in capitalism.Chapter 4, Interpreting the world-system theory depending on the domain of international relations. World-system theory concept of development is based on the criticism of liberal development theory , the meaning of development and development objectives have been defined, the possibilities of development and development model have been discussed and promoted the development of research has left the free development theory of one-sided doctrine in error. Wallerstein have formed its unique concept of hegemony in the process of analysis of capitalist world system in the structure and content. It mainly involves three important issues: (1), the meaning of hegemony and the hegemonic definition (2), the cycle of hegemony and hegemonic change (3), the trend of hegemony and the decline of U.S. hegemony. Hegemonic concept of world-system theory contribute to an overall grasp of the nature of hegemony, to explore an effective way to analyze hegemonic policy, to reveal the reason of rise and fall of hegemonic and so on. The globalization of the world system theory thinking gives us a new perspective on globalization, namely, the process of globalization of human society is only a stage of long-term development of the historical development of human society and capitalism. In Wallerstein's view, globalization is not a kind of new phenomenon, but the internal repeated cyclical of modern world system. World system theory analyzed the historical process of globalization, the development momentum and trend, the globalization process and the role of the state. World-system theory analyzes the social and political change in human history from the perspective of civilizations and culture, analyzing the clash of civilizations in the world system, criticized the widespread and racism, "Convergence" and the "stage theory", while Modern capitalism was criticized and exposed. In short, to study specific issues on the nature of the modern world-system from the perspective of international relations inspired by the world system theory has further confirmed the value.Chapter 5, Having diagnostic tests on the value of the world-system theory. Taken together, the world system theory has a double value in method and theory. In the methodological value terms, world-system theory, advocated by "integration" of the social sciences, and adhere to a holistic unit of analysis, construct a combination of the history of the theory of paradigm, criticized the "Eurocentric"; in the theoretical value, the world-system theory develop a new realm of development theory and build a new paradigm of contemporary theories of capitalism. However, the world-system theory in these two areas also has shortcomings and deficiencies. Research in international relations, world-system theory is a critical theory and the international political economy is an important genre. The study of international relations had a significant impact. It has expanded the unit of international relations. It adhere to a combination of political and economic research methods, the study of international relations contribute to the area a number of concepts and terminology, and to explore inequalities providing an important basis for international order. World-system theory inherited and developed the basic theory of Marxism, to be a higher evaluation of Marx and Marxism, showing a strong socialist hue, while enriching and developing the Marxist theory of international relations for the development of Marxism, providing a useful data and theoretical enlightening ideas.Chapter 6, Discussing the important inspiration of the world-system theory of China's international strategy. First, it analyzes China's integration into the world system and continuous historical process of marginalization, and thus China's role in the world system were localized. Second, it analyses the main features of the transition period of the world system, as well as the opportunities and challenges China is facing. Finally, it provides China's international strategic considerations in the world-system transition period, that is, actively participate in and promote a more equitable world system to the direction of development; actively safeguarding world peace and to build a harmonious world; actively promoting the diversity of civilizations in order to enhance China's soft power .
Keywords/Search Tags:World-system theory, Wallerstein, the domain of international relations, diagnostic test of the value, world-system transition, China's international strategy
PDF Full Text Request
Related items