How many stages did Immanuel Wallerstein identify in his World Systems theory ?

The correct answer is - Four

Key Points

• Immanuel Wallerstein's World Systems Theory identifies four stages or categories that describe the global economic system's structure.
• These four categories are:
  • Core: Highly developed, industrialized nations that dominate global trade and benefit the most from the world system.
  • Semi-periphery: Nations that are industrializing and act as a buffer between the core and periphery.
  • Periphery: Less developed nations that are dependent on the core for capital and are often exploited for raw materials and labor.
  • External areas: Regions that are not fully integrated into the capitalist world economy.
• This classification helps explain the global inequality and distribution of wealth and power in the international system.
• Wallerstein's theory is foundational in understanding the dynamics of globalization and economic interdependence.

Additional Information

• Core-Periphery Model:
  • The model categorizes nations based on their role in the global economy.
  • Core nations are economically and politically dominant, while periphery nations are dependent and less developed.
  • Semi-periphery nations exhibit characteristics of both core and periphery countries, allowing for more dynamic interactions.
• Historical Context:
  • Wallerstein developed this theory in the 1970s as a critique of modernization theory, which suggested all nations could achieve development through similar processes.
  • World Systems Theory emphasizes the historical exploitation of periphery regions by core nations during colonialism and capitalism's expansion.
• Relevance in Modern Studies:
  • The theory remains widely used in sociology, political science, and international relations to analyze global inequalities.
  • It highlights how global capitalist systems perpetuate disparities in wealth, power, and resources.