Colloquium on Nepal

 Colloquium on Nepal

IV.Colloquium on Nepal 

A. Piers Blaikie, John Cameron and David Seddon’s Nepal in Crisis: Growth and

Stagnation in the Periphery. Chapter 2. Pp.24-58.

B. Chaitanya Mishra: ‘Development and underdevelopment in Nepal: A preliminary

sociological perspective.’ 1987. In Chaitanya Mishra, Essays on the Sociology of Nepal.

Pp. 47-80

C. Chaitanya Mishra: ‘Nepal: Long term and lar Colloquium on linkaging the ‘Nepal

texts’ to the ge scale: History and theory.’ Pp. 18

D. Chaitanya Mishra: ‘Samrajyabad ra Nepalko bhawisys.’ Kantipur. Feb 20, 2013 (Fagun

9, 2069). P. 7.

E. Ian Carlos Fitzpatrick. Cardamom and Class: A Limbu Village and its Extensions in East

Nepal. Pp. 1-26, 183-228, 271-78

F. Bandita Sijapati and Amrita Limbu. Governing Labor Migration in Nepal: An Analysis of

Existing Policies and Institutional Mechanisms. Chapter 1. Pp.1-24

The **Colloquium on Nepal** provides a focused discussion on the unique socio-economic, political, and developmental challenges facing Nepal. By engaging with key texts, such as those by Piers Blaikie, Chaitanya Mishra, Ian Carlos Fitzpatrick, and others, this section helps bridge the global world-systems perspective with the specific context of Nepal, examining the country's **peripheral position** within the global capitalist system and the effects of internal and external forces on its development.

### A. **Piers Blaikie, John Cameron, and David Seddon: "Nepal in Crisis: Growth and Stagnation in the Periphery" (Chapter 2, Pp. 24-58)**

This text provides a detailed analysis of Nepal's **economic stagnation** and **growth challenges** within the context of its **peripheral position** in the global capitalist system. Blaikie, Cameron, and Seddon argue that Nepal’s development is constrained by a combination of **internal factors**—such as its geography and political structure—and **external pressures** from the world system.

#### Key Points:

- **Peripheral Position**: Nepal is situated in the **periphery** of the world system, meaning it is economically dependent on core countries and subject to external influences. Its economy is largely based on **subsistence agriculture** and **low-wage labor**, which makes it vulnerable to global market fluctuations and external shocks.

  

- **Internal Factors**: The authors highlight **geographical isolation**, **political instability**, and the **lack of infrastructure** as major hindrances to economic growth. These factors contribute to a stagnant economy where wealth accumulation and capital investment are difficult.

- **Dependency on External Aid**: Nepal relies heavily on **foreign aid** and **remittances**, which deepens its dependency on core nations. This creates a cycle of dependence, where Nepal is unable to build a self-sustaining economy and remains locked in underdevelopment.

- **Agrarian Crisis**: The majority of Nepal’s population is engaged in agriculture, but the sector is characterized by **low productivity** and **land fragmentation**. The agrarian structure, combined with environmental degradation and land exhaustion, exacerbates the country’s economic challenges.

The analysis emphasizes the importance of understanding **Nepal’s economic challenges** within the context of its peripheral position in the world-system, while also paying attention to domestic factors that contribute to its stagnation.

### B. **Chaitanya Mishra: "Development and Underdevelopment in Nepal: A Preliminary Sociological Perspective" (1987, Pp. 47-80)**

Chaitanya Mishra’s essay provides a **sociological perspective** on the development and underdevelopment of Nepal. Mishra examines how **class relations**, **social structures**, and **external forces** contribute to Nepal’s underdevelopment, drawing on both **world-systems theory** and **dependency theory** to frame his argument.

#### Key Points:

- **Internal Social Structures**: Mishra focuses on the **hierarchical social structures** in Nepal, particularly the **caste system** and **feudal land relations**, which perpetuate inequality and hinder development. The **elite class**, which controls much of the political and economic power, benefits from the existing system and has little incentive to promote broad-based development.

- **External Forces**: Like Blaikie, Cameron, and Seddon, Mishra highlights the impact of **external forces** on Nepal’s underdevelopment. He emphasizes Nepal’s dependence on **foreign aid**, **trade imbalances**, and **remittances** as factors that reinforce its peripheral status in the global economy.

- **Role of the State**: Mishra critiques the **Nepalese state** for failing to enact meaningful reforms that could reduce inequality and promote economic growth. He argues that the state often serves the interests of the **elite class**, perpetuating underdevelopment through policies that reinforce dependency on foreign aid and suppress social mobility.

- **Global Inequality**: Mishra connects Nepal’s underdevelopment to broader patterns of **global inequality**, arguing that the **capitalist world-system** inherently creates conditions of wealth for some nations and poverty for others. He suggests that meaningful development in Nepal would require structural changes at both the national and global levels.

### C. **Chaitanya Mishra: "Nepal: Long Term and Large Scale: History and Theory" (Pp. 18)**

In this work, Chaitanya Mishra expands on his previous analysis by taking a **long-term, large-scale view** of Nepal’s history and development. He examines how historical processes have shaped the country’s current socio-economic conditions, linking local and global forces over time.

#### Key Points:

- **Historical Development**: Mishra traces Nepal’s development back to the **pre-capitalist era**, highlighting how its position in the world system has changed over time. He argues that while Nepal has always been economically and politically marginal, its incorporation into the capitalist world-system in the 19th and 20th centuries intensified its **dependency** on external powers.

- **Colonial Legacy**: Mishra examines the role of **British colonialism** in shaping Nepal’s development, particularly through its impact on trade and **labor migration**. While Nepal was never formally colonized, it was heavily influenced by British economic and political interests in the region.

- **Theoretical Implications**: Mishra suggests that understanding Nepal’s long-term development requires a **multi-dimensional analysis** that considers both internal social structures and external forces. He argues that the **world-systems perspective** is valuable for understanding Nepal’s peripheral position but needs to be complemented by an analysis of domestic factors, such as class and state power.

### D. **Chaitanya Mishra: "Samrajyabad ra Nepalko Bhawisya" (Imperialism and the Future of Nepal) (Kantipur, Feb 20, 2013)**

In this article, Mishra discusses the continuing impact of **imperialism** on Nepal’s development and speculates on the country’s future. He argues that while traditional forms of imperialism may have declined, Nepal remains subject to new forms of economic and political domination.

#### Key Points:

- **Neo-imperialism**: Mishra argues that **neo-imperialism** continues to shape Nepal’s development through **international financial institutions**, **foreign aid** programs, and **bilateral relations** with powerful countries. These external forces often dictate Nepal’s economic policies, limiting the country’s sovereignty and ability to pursue independent development paths.

- **Future Prospects**: Mishra remains skeptical about Nepal’s future under the current global order. He argues that unless Nepal can **break free** from its dependence on external powers and reform its internal social and political structures, it is unlikely to achieve meaningful development.

### E. **Ian Carlos Fitzpatrick: "Cardamom and Class: A Limbu Village and its Extensions in East Nepal" (Pp. 1-26, 183-228, 271-78)**

Fitzpatrick’s work provides an in-depth **ethnographic study** of a **Limbu village** in Eastern Nepal, focusing on the intersections of **class** and **agricultural production**, particularly the cultivation of **cardamom**, a high-value cash crop.

#### Key Points:

- **Class Relations**: Fitzpatrick examines how the cultivation of cardamom has created new **class divisions** within the Limbu community. While some farmers have been able to accumulate wealth and social status through the sale of cardamom, others remain trapped in poverty due to **landlessness** or lack of access to resources.

- **Global Markets**: The success of cardamom farming is heavily dependent on access to **global markets**. Fitzpatrick highlights the **vulnerability** of local farmers to fluctuations in global prices, which can have devastating effects on their livelihoods.

- **Migration and Labor**: Fitzpatrick also explores the role of **labor migration** in the region, noting that many young people leave the village to work in cities or abroad. This migration has both positive and negative effects on the village economy, as remittances provide a source of income but also contribute to **social dislocation** and a lack of investment in local development.

### F. **Bandita Sijapati and Amrita Limbu: "Governing Labor Migration in Nepal: An Analysis of Existing Policies and Institutional Mechanisms" (Chapter 1, Pp. 1-24)**

This text examines the **policies and institutional mechanisms** governing **labor migration** in Nepal. Sijapati and Limbu analyze the effectiveness of current policies in managing the large-scale migration of Nepalese workers abroad, particularly to the Gulf countries and Malaysia.

#### Key Points:

- **Labor Migration**: Nepal has one of the highest rates of **labor migration** in the world, with millions of Nepalese working abroad, primarily in low-wage, high-risk jobs. Remittances from these workers are a major source of income for Nepal’s economy, but the migration process is fraught with challenges.

- **Policy Gaps**: Sijapati and Limbu highlight the **inadequacies** in Nepal’s labor migration policies, including weak enforcement of labor rights, lack of support for migrants, and **corruption** within recruitment agencies. These gaps leave many migrant workers vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

- **Economic Dependence**: The authors argue that Nepal’s reliance on **remittances** as a major source of income creates a form of **economic dependency** that limits the country’s ability to develop more sustainable forms of economic growth.

### Conclusion

The **Colloquium on Nepal** readings offer a rich and nuanced examination of the country’s development challenges, particularly in the context of the global capitalist system. These texts draw attention to Nepal’s peripheral position in the world economy, its reliance on external aid and remittances, and the deep-rooted

Wallerstein’s world capitalist system: A theoretical and historical critique

Wallerstein’s world capitalist system: A theoretical and historical critique

III.Variants/Critiques 

A. Theda Skocpol. ‘Wallerstein’s world capitalist system: A theoretical and historical

critique’. American Journal of Sociology. Vol 82, No 5 (March 1977). Pp. 1075-89

B. ‘Debates’ on the scale and time-depth of capitalist world system

• Andre Gunder Frank. ‘Immanuel and me with-out hyphen.’ Journal of World Systems

Research. Vol. 6, No 2 (Summer/Fall 2000). Pp. 216-231.

• Barry Gills. ‘The continuity thesis on world development.’ In Sing C Chew and

Robert A. Denemark (eds.), The Development of Underdevelopment. Pp. 226-45

• Christopher Chase-Dunn. ‘World-systems: Similarities and differences.’ In Sing C

Chew and Robert A Denemark (eds.). The Development of Underdevelopment. Pp.

246-58

• Optional reading. Andre Gunder Frank. The Five Thousand Year World System.

Humboldt Journal of Social Relations. Vol. 18, No 2. Pp. 1-41

C. World-systems and dependency theories

• James Petras. ‘Dependency and world-system theory: A critiques and new directions.’

Latin American Perspectives. Vol 8, No 3⁄4. (Late Summer/Autumn). Pp. 148-155

The **variants and critiques** of the World-System Perspective reveal the richness of the theoretical debates surrounding Immanuel Wallerstein’s framework. These critiques offer alternative perspectives, point out limitations in Wallerstein’s theory, and expand on or challenge key assumptions about the nature and historical scope of the capitalist world-system. Below is a detailed examination of these critiques and alternative formulations:

### A. **Theda Skocpol: "Wallerstein’s World Capitalist System: A Theoretical and Historical Critique"**

- *American Journal of Sociology, Vol. 82, No. 5 (March 1977), Pp. 1075-89*

Theda Skocpol provides one of the most comprehensive early critiques of Wallerstein’s world-system theory, arguing that it overemphasizes the role of the global economy while underplaying the **autonomy of state actors** and **political institutions**. She is a key representative of **state-centered approaches** to understanding historical change, contrasting with Wallerstein’s **economic determinism**.

#### Key Critiques:

1. **State Autonomy**: Skocpol argues that Wallerstein’s theory treats states as mere agents of the world-system, subordinated to economic processes. She contends that states have greater autonomy and can shape their own policies in ways that challenge or circumvent the pressures of the world economy. For example, she points to **revolutions** and **social movements** that arise from domestic conditions, which Wallerstein’s model fails to fully account for.

  

2. **Historical Specificity**: Skocpol critiques Wallerstein for his reliance on **broad historical generalizations**. She argues that world-system analysis tends to flatten out differences between historical periods, reducing the complexity of social, political, and cultural factors to a simple core-periphery relationship. According to Skocpol, Wallerstein’s model is insufficiently sensitive to the **unique historical trajectories** of different states and societies.

3. **Underestimation of Political Institutions**: Wallerstein’s theory prioritizes economic factors (e.g., trade, production, and capital accumulation) while underestimating the **role of political institutions** and **state power** in shaping historical outcomes. Skocpol suggests that institutions like the military and bureaucracy have their own logic and can shape social change independently of economic factors.

### B. **Debates on the Scale and Time-Depth of the Capitalist World-System**

1. **Andre Gunder Frank: "Immanuel and Me Without Hyphen"**

   - *Journal of World Systems Research, Vol. 6, No. 2 (Summer/Fall 2000), Pp. 216-231*

   Andre Gunder Frank, a key figure in **dependency theory** and later a proponent of the **"5,000-year world system"** concept, challenges Wallerstein’s insistence that capitalism emerged in the 16th century. He argues that **global economic systems** existed long before the modern world-system.

   #### Key Points:

   - **Continuity of World Systems**: Frank contends that the world-system should not be seen as a novel development of the 16th century but rather as the continuation of a much older pattern of global economic interaction dating back millennia. He emphasizes **trade networks** in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, which had significant global influence long before European dominance.

   - **De-centering Europe**: Frank critiques Wallerstein’s Eurocentrism, suggesting that Europe’s rise to prominence was more the result of **Asian decline** than European innovation. According to Frank, regions like China, India, and the Middle East had highly developed economies that played a crucial role in the global system long before European expansion.

2. **Barry Gills: "The Continuity Thesis on World Development"**

   - *In Chew and Denemark (eds.), The Development of Underdevelopment, Pp. 226-245*

   Barry Gills, like Frank, argues for a **continuity thesis**, suggesting that global economic systems have existed for far longer than Wallerstein acknowledges. Gills highlights the **long history of interconnected trade systems**, particularly in Asia, as evidence that world systems have been present for thousands of years.

   #### Key Points:

   - **Non-European Centric Histories**: Gills emphasizes the importance of looking at **non-European** centers of power, such as China, India, and the Middle East, as primary drivers of early world systems. He suggests that Europe’s rise was a relatively **late development** in the history of global economies.

3. **Christopher Chase-Dunn: "World-Systems: Similarities and Differences"**

   - *In Chew and Denemark (eds.), The Development of Underdevelopment, Pp. 246-258*

   Chase-Dunn critiques both Wallerstein and Frank by exploring **similarities and differences** between different world-systems across time. He argues for a more nuanced understanding of world-systems, recognizing both **continuities and changes** over long periods.

   #### Key Points:

   - **Structural Continuity and Transformation**: Chase-Dunn recognizes the existence of earlier world-systems but also highlights that **capitalism** introduced novel features, such as the unique way it organizes labor and capital globally. He maintains that Wallerstein’s focus on the **16th century** is important because capitalism represents a **qualitatively different world-system**.

   - **Hybrid Models**: Chase-Dunn suggests that scholars should look for **hybrid models** that combine insights from both Wallerstein and Frank. While earlier global systems did exist, capitalism has distinct dynamics that are worth emphasizing, such as **cyclical crises**, **global polarization**, and the persistence of core-periphery relations.

4. **Andre Gunder Frank: "The Five Thousand Year World System"** (Optional)

   - *Humboldt Journal of Social Relations, Vol. 18, No. 2, Pp. 1-41*

   Frank elaborates on his thesis that world systems have existed for over 5,000 years, emphasizing the central role of **Asia** in global economic history. This work de-centers Europe entirely and challenges Wallerstein’s view that the **modern capitalist system** is a distinct historical phenomenon.

   #### Key Points:

   - **Long-Term Historical Patterns**: Frank argues that modern capitalism is not a new or distinct system but a **continuation of long-term global economic patterns** that date back thousands of years. He draws attention to the **Asian-centered trade networks** that existed well before Europe’s rise.

   - **Asia as the Core**: Frank suggests that **Asia**, not Europe, was the dominant core of the global economy for much of history, with Europe only becoming significant after 1500.

### C. **World-Systems and Dependency Theories**

1. **James Petras: "Dependency and World-System Theory: A Critique and New Directions"**

   - *Latin American Perspectives, Vol. 8, No. 3/4 (Late Summer/Autumn), Pp. 148-155*

   James Petras compares **dependency theory** with **world-systems theory** and offers a critique of both, while also suggesting new directions for understanding global inequality. Dependency theory, developed by thinkers like Andre Gunder Frank and Fernando Henrique Cardoso, focuses on the **unequal relationship** between developed and developing countries, where the latter are structurally dependent on the former.

   #### Key Points:

   - **Core-Periphery Model**: Like world-systems theory, dependency theory uses the **core-periphery** framework to understand global inequality. However, Petras criticizes both theories for being too **deterministic** and for underestimating the capacity of **local agency** and **resistance** in the periphery. He argues that peripheral nations are not entirely powerless in the face of global capitalism.

   - **State and Class Relations**: Petras also critiques Wallerstein for downplaying the role of **domestic class relations** within peripheral countries. He argues that dependency theory, by focusing more on internal dynamics, offers a better explanation for why some nations succeed in breaking free from dependency, while others remain trapped.

   - **New Directions**: Petras suggests that future research should focus on **local forms of resistance**, state-led development projects, and the **emergence of new powers** from the global South (e.g., China, India) that challenge the traditional core-periphery relationship.

### Conclusion

The variants and critiques of Wallerstein’s world-systems theory demonstrate the **diverse range of scholarly perspectives** on global capitalism and its historical development. Skocpol’s critique highlights the need to account for **state autonomy** and political institutions, while Frank and Gills emphasize the **long-term continuity** of global economic systems and challenge the **Eurocentrism** in Wallerstein’s work. Chase-Dunn offers a more nuanced view, balancing both continuity and change in the history of world-systems, and Petras bridges the gap between **dependency theory** and world-systems analysis by calling for greater attention to **local agency** and **internal dynamics**.

Together, these critiques deepen our understanding of global inequality, the role of states, and the historical development of capitalism, encouraging students to think critically about the **world-system** and its future trajectory.

The modern world-system as a capitalist world economy

 The modern world-system as a capitalist world economy

II. Key themes 

A. ‘The modern world-system as a capitalist world economy: Production, surplus value and

polarization’

• IW: Chapter 2 of World-Systems Analysis: An Introduction (WSA). Pp. 22-41

B. ‘The rise of the states-system: Sovereign nation-states, colonies and the interstate system’

• IW: Chapter 3 of WSA: Pp. 42-59

C. ‘The modern world-system in crisis: Bifurcation, chaos and choices’

• IW: Chapter 5 of WSA: Pp. 77-90

• Frank Elwell: ‘Wallerstein’s crisis of capitalism.’ P. 5

• Christopher Chase-Dunn. ‘Five linked crises in the contemporary world system.’

Journal of World-Systems Research. Vol 19, No. 2, 175-80

The **key themes** from these readings focus on understanding the structure of the modern capitalist world-system, the role of nation-states and colonies in its development, and the current crises and challenges facing the system. Below is a detailed exploration of each of these themes:

### A. **The Modern World-System as a Capitalist World Economy: Production, Surplus Value, and Polarization**

- *Immanuel Wallerstein: Chapter 2 of World-Systems Analysis: An Introduction (Pp. 22-41)*

This chapter provides a detailed overview of the capitalist world-economy, focusing on how **production** and the extraction of **surplus value** are organized across the world-system. Wallerstein builds on **Marxist economics** to explain how capitalism operates globally, but he expands the analysis to incorporate the **international division of labor** between core, semi-peripheral, and peripheral regions.

#### Key Points:

- **Capitalist production** in the world-system is organized to maximize the extraction of **surplus value**—the value produced by labor beyond what is needed to sustain workers. This surplus is primarily accumulated in the core, where advanced industries and high-profit enterprises are concentrated.

  

- **Polarization** is a central concept, referring to the increasing gap between the wealthy core nations and the impoverished periphery. As capitalism expands, this inequality becomes more entrenched, with core regions benefiting from the exploitation of labor and resources in the periphery.

- **Unequal exchange** is a mechanism through which core nations extract surplus value from the periphery. Peripheral regions are often forced to export raw materials and labor-intensive goods at low prices while importing high-value products from the core, perpetuating their dependency and underdevelopment.

Wallerstein highlights that the **global hierarchy** of nations is not just a reflection of economic productivity but of historical processes that allowed certain regions (mostly Europe) to dominate global trade, finance, and politics.

### B. **The Rise of the States-System: Sovereign Nation-States, Colonies, and the Interstate System**

- *Immanuel Wallerstein: Chapter 3 of World-Systems Analysis: An Introduction (Pp. 42-59)*

This chapter focuses on the **political dimension** of the world-system, especially the rise of **sovereign nation-states** and the development of the **interstate system**. Wallerstein argues that the modern world-system cannot be understood purely as an economic entity—it is also a political one, structured by the interaction of states.

#### Key Points:

- The **sovereign nation-state** emerged alongside the capitalist world-economy in the 16th century. The state became the primary political unit through which capitalism was organized and regulated.

  

- The interstate system, or the network of relationships between sovereign states, played a critical role in maintaining global capitalism. **Colonialism** was one of the key features of this system, where core nations established colonies in peripheral regions to secure resources and labor.

- Wallerstein emphasizes that while nation-states may appear to be independent political entities, they are deeply embedded in the **world-system**. Their sovereignty is often limited by the pressures of the global market and the power dynamics of the interstate system.

- The **balance of power** between states, especially the core nations, ensures that no single state can dominate the system entirely, although certain nations have held hegemonic positions (e.g., the Netherlands in the 17th century, Britain in the 19th century, and the United States in the 20th century).

This chapter also highlights how the **state** serves as an agent of capitalism, facilitating the conditions for capital accumulation, such as protecting private property, enforcing contracts, and regulating labor.

### C. **The Modern World-System in Crisis: Bifurcation, Chaos, and Choices**

- *Immanuel Wallerstein: Chapter 5 of World-Systems Analysis: An Introduction (Pp. 77-90)*

- *Frank Elwell: "Wallerstein’s Crisis of Capitalism"*

- *Christopher Chase-Dunn: "Five Linked Crises in the Contemporary World System"*

This theme addresses the **current crisis** in the capitalist world-system and the potential for its transformation. Wallerstein, Elwell, and Chase-Dunn argue that the world-system is facing multiple crises that are fundamentally destabilizing its structures.

#### Key Points from Wallerstein:

- **Bifurcation and Chaos**: Wallerstein argues that the modern world-system is approaching a point of **bifurcation**—a major transition where the system may either evolve into something new or collapse into chaos. He describes this as a period of systemic crisis, where the internal contradictions of capitalism (such as inequality, environmental degradation, and overaccumulation of capital) can no longer be managed effectively.

- **Choices**: As the system approaches this chaotic state, Wallerstein suggests that we are faced with important **choices** about the future of the world-system. He implies that this period of crisis offers opportunities for fundamental change, potentially leading to the creation of a more just and equitable global order, though he also warns that the system could descend into greater inequality and oppression.

#### Key Points from Elwell:

- **Crisis of Capitalism**: Elwell builds on Wallerstein’s analysis to argue that capitalism is in crisis due to its inability to resolve its inherent contradictions. For example, the drive for profit leads to environmental destruction and social inequality, which undermine the long-term sustainability of the system.

- Elwell points to the increasing polarization between rich and poor countries, environmental degradation, and political instability as evidence that the **world-system** is reaching its limits.

#### Key Points from Chase-Dunn:

- **Five Linked Crises**: Chase-Dunn identifies five interrelated crises facing the world-system today: 

  1. **Economic stagnation**: Global growth has slowed, leading to economic uncertainty and unemployment.

  2. **Ecological crisis**: Environmental degradation, including climate change, threatens the survival of the system.

  3. **Social inequality**: The gap between rich and poor, both within and between nations, continues to widen, leading to social unrest.

  4. **Geopolitical instability**: Rising tensions between major powers, such as the United States and China, pose risks to global peace and stability.

  5. **Legitimacy crisis**: There is a growing distrust of political institutions, both national and international, as people lose faith in the ability of governments and global organizations to solve pressing problems.

Chase-Dunn argues that these crises are interconnected, and together they represent a **systemic challenge** to the existing global order. Like Wallerstein, he suggests that the world is at a crossroads, where the current system may be replaced by something new—either more democratic and equitable or more authoritarian and exploitative.

### Conclusion

The key themes explored in these readings reveal the **multi-dimensional nature** of the modern world-system as theorized by Wallerstein. His analysis provides a comprehensive framework for understanding global capitalism, its historical development, and its current challenges. By focusing on the **economic, political, and systemic crises** facing the world today, these readings also highlight the urgency of addressing the **structural contradictions** of capitalism, which are pushing the world-system toward a critical juncture.

These themes are essential for understanding the **historical trajectory of global capitalism**, the role of nation-states and colonialism, and the future challenges that the world faces as the capitalist system approaches a point of crisis. Understanding these dynamics can provide valuable insights for analyzing contemporary issues, including those specific to regions like Nepal.

The historical context

 The historical context 

I. The historical context 

• Immanuel Wallerstein (IW). ‘On the study of social change.’ Pp. 3-11 in The Modern

World-System: Capitalist Agriculture and the Origins of the European World-Economy

in the Sixteenth Century. Pp. 3-11

• William I Robinson. ‘Globalization and the sociology of Immanuel Wallerstein: A

critical Appraisal.’ International Sociology. 2011. Pp. 1-23

• IW: ‘The rise and future demise of the world capitalist system: Concepts for comparative

analysis.’ Comparative Studies in Society and History. Sep. 1974. Pp 387-415.

• IW: ‘The rise and future demise of world-systems analysis.’ Paper delivered at the 1996

meeting of the American Sociological Association. p. 8

The historical context of the **World-System Perspective**, as developed by Immanuel Wallerstein, is essential for understanding the global transformations of capitalism and the scholarly debates that followed. To engage with this theoretical framework, the following texts provide foundational insights into the emergence of the world-system analysis and its critique.

### 1. Immanuel Wallerstein: "On the Study of Social Change"

This section from Wallerstein’s book, *The Modern World-System: Capitalist Agriculture and the Origins of the European World-Economy in the Sixteenth Century*, introduces the key concepts behind the emergence of the capitalist world-system. Wallerstein traces the historical processes that led to the transition from feudalism to capitalism in the 16th century, emphasizing the central role of **agriculture** and the **global division of labor** in the consolidation of a European-dominated world economy.

- Wallerstein situates **capitalist agriculture** as the foundation of the European world-economy. This form of agriculture was profit-driven and required an extensive international network for the extraction and exchange of resources, helping to expand European political and economic power.

  

- The **long-term social changes** discussed in this work are essential to understanding how Europe became the core of the world-system, while other regions were integrated into this system as peripheral or semi-peripheral zones. The key takeaway is that capitalism did not arise in isolation but rather through global processes involving trade, colonization, and exploitation.

### 2. William I. Robinson: "Globalization and the Sociology of Immanuel Wallerstein: A Critical Appraisal"

William I. Robinson’s article offers a **critical evaluation** of Wallerstein’s world-system theory in the context of **globalization**. Robinson argues that while Wallerstein’s work was groundbreaking in linking global capitalism to inequality and exploitation, it may not fully capture the complexity of modern globalization.

- Robinson challenges Wallerstein’s **static view of the core-periphery dynamic**, suggesting that contemporary globalization has created new forms of transnational capitalism that blur the distinctions between core and periphery. In other words, power is no longer just concentrated in nation-states (as Wallerstein posits), but in global networks of corporations, financial institutions, and transnational elites.

- The article pushes readers to think beyond Wallerstein’s framework and consider how **globalization** might involve more fluid forms of power, technology, and production that transcend national borders. It critiques Wallerstein’s theory for its emphasis on historical capitalism while perhaps neglecting the post-1970s global economic restructuring, which has created new global hierarchies and complexities.

### 3. Immanuel Wallerstein: "The Rise and Future Demise of the World Capitalist System: Concepts for Comparative Analysis"

In this seminal article, Wallerstein presents his core ideas on the **world capitalist system**, outlining the key components that define the world-system as a historical and social phenomenon. Here, he introduces the concepts of the **core**, **semi-periphery**, and **periphery**, which are foundational for understanding the global inequalities that exist within the capitalist system.

- Wallerstein’s main argument is that **capitalism cannot be understood** within the framework of national economies but must be analyzed as a **world-system**. The capitalist world-economy, according to Wallerstein, is characterized by unequal exchange between regions and the exploitation of labor in peripheral areas by core nations.

- The article also introduces the idea of **cyclical rhythms** and **secular trends** within the capitalist system, suggesting that capitalism moves through phases of expansion and contraction. However, Wallerstein famously predicts the eventual **"demise" of the capitalist system**, due to its inherent contradictions, particularly the unequal distribution of wealth and the unsustainability of perpetual growth.

### 4. Immanuel Wallerstein: "The Rise and Future Demise of World-Systems Analysis" (1996 ASA Paper)

This paper, delivered at the American Sociological Association in 1996, reflects on the development and future of **world-systems analysis** as a field of study. Wallerstein addresses some of the **critiques** of his theory and considers how world-systems analysis might evolve in response to changes in global capitalism and scholarly debate.

- In this presentation, Wallerstein reasserts the relevance of world-systems analysis in understanding global inequality, but he also acknowledges that the system is **not static**. He suggests that the world-system is evolving and that new **social movements**, **technological changes**, and **global political shifts** will shape the future of capitalism and its potential decline.

- The paper also addresses some of the **theoretical challenges** posed by scholars like William I. Robinson, who question whether world-systems analysis can adequately explain the complexities of **contemporary globalization**. Wallerstein remains optimistic about the framework’s ability to evolve, but he also concedes that new forms of analysis will be necessary to address the ever-changing global landscape.

### Synthesizing the Readings

These readings collectively provide a historical and theoretical foundation for understanding **world-systems analysis**. Wallerstein’s early work emphasizes the **structural nature of capitalism** as a global system, while his later work and critiques by scholars like Robinson push the conversation toward a more **dynamic understanding** of global capitalism in the age of globalization.

Key themes include:

- The **historical roots of capitalism** in the 16th century, driven by European expansion and the establishment of a global trade network.

- The enduring relevance of the **core-periphery framework** to explain global inequality, but also the challenges posed by modern globalization, which may demand a more nuanced understanding of transnational power and capital flows.

- The **future of capitalism** and the potential for systemic crises or transformation, particularly in light of economic, social, and technological changes in the 21st century.

Understanding these historical contexts and theoretical debates will enable you to engage critically with **world-systems theory** and explore its implications for contemporary society, including its application to regions like Nepal.