Världssystemet

Världssystemet, often translated as world-system or world-economy, is a theoretical framework developed by sociologist Immanuel Wallerstein. It analyzes history and society in terms of a global capitalist economy. The core concept is that the world is not a collection of independent nations but a single, interconnected economic system with a hierarchical structure.

This system is divided into three main zones: the core, the periphery, and the semi-periphery. The core countries are the dominant, industrialized nations that exploit the periphery for cheap labor and raw materials. The periphery countries are less developed and are dependent on the core for markets and capital. The semi-periphery countries occupy an intermediate position, exhibiting characteristics of both core and periphery, and often act as a buffer between the two.

Wallerstein argues that this division of labor and power relations have persisted for centuries, evolving through different historical phases but maintaining the fundamental unequal exchange. The world-system theory emphasizes the importance of long-term historical processes and global dynamics in shaping national development and social change. It offers a critical perspective on globalization, highlighting its roots in the expansion of capitalism and its inherent inequalities. The theory has been influential in sociology, history, and political economy, though it has also faced critiques regarding its determinism and overemphasis on economic factors.