Modern Horizon, Waller Stein World System Theory Research

Wallerstein is the founder of world system theory, and Wallersteinworld system theory is an important symbol for further development ofmodernization theory. On the basis of deeply criticizing modernizationtheory and the traditional paradigm of social science, Wallerstein used theworld system as the basic unit of analysis and comb the social developmentresearch and the criticism of the capitalist theory. Then he revealed the500years development evolution and the basic law of capitalist system on thewhole by criticizing the inequality and irrationality of capitalist worldsystem from the economic, political, and cultural level. In the methodologylevel, Wallerstein realized the organic combination of normative researchand complexity research, and founded the methods of integrationresearch.So he provided helpful ideological resources and theoreticalparadigm for the western social and historical scientific transformation andreconstruction. In the cultural critical level, Wallerstein deepened thecognition and understanding of capitalism, liberalism and modernity andadvocated the development blueprint and value pursuit which used socialistworld order as the guidance and took the modernity of human liberation asthe basic spirit. As a new Marxist scholar, Wallerstein made an organic combination ofthe world system theory and Marxism and made it gradually grow up as anew Marxism which has unique quality by not only using Marxist theory tointerpret the world system, but also to reflect and revise the traditionaltheory of Marxism. The extensive influence of Wallerstein world systemtheory in the international academic not only reveals the contemporaryvalue of Marxism, but also promoted its innovation and diversifieddevelopment. At the same time, Wallerstein world system theory hasimportant theoretical value for deeply thinking about the socialdevelopment at the background of contemporary globalization history andprovides important reference for the reconstruction of historical socialscience.He also provides positive enlightenment for developing countriesto grasp the important period of strategic opportunities and explore its ownsuitable modernization roads. However, because Wallerstein world systemtheory finally deviated from the standpoint of Marx’s historical materialism,so its theoretical construction still has the dilemma and thought limitationsof eurocentrism, negative pessimism and historical nihilism.