Christopher Chase-Dunn

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world-systems theory

• Christopher Chase-Dunn

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Lecture Outline
World-systems Nested networks Core/periphery
relations The evolution of world-systems
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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

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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 system
• Small, Medium and Large world-systems
• World means the world to which people are
  connected
• Only the most recent world-system is global

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Nested interaction networks

• Bulk goods network (BGN)
• Political-military network (PMN)
• Prestige goods network (PGN)
• Information network (IN)
• Place-centric
• Fall-off

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Nested interaction nets
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Core/periphery hierarchy
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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

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Central system pmn chronograph
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East/west chronograph
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Iteration model
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Rise, fall and upward sweeps