The world-system theory by Immanuel Wallerstein

In this thesis, the author deals with the World-system theory by I. W allerstein et al. In the first part, the theries are reconstructed and systematized. The circumstances of the developement of the theories are analyzed and the W oddsystem theory is shown from the perspective ofits structure and dynamics. The autor analyzes the development ofthe World-system at the time ofits existence and interprets the position of the particular regions in it. The World-system perspective is employed to interpret such trends as the rise ofWestem Europe and North America, the downfall and the following rise of Eastem Asia, the stagnation of South America and the downfall of Africa. The author also describes the dynamics and the structure oftoday's world from the World-system theory point ofview. In the second part, the author focuses on the critical interpretation and tries to put the World-system theories in the context of other sociological theories. He also compares the World-system theory with Marxism and the systemic approach. The most frequent critical objections to the World-system theories are systemized. Besides interpreting the past and the presence, the theories aim to predict the future development ofthe human society, which is criticized here. By showing other theories inspired by Wallerstein, the author..