Rethinking “World Wars” Through a World-Systems Lens
What are the key characteristics of the current instabilities of the capitalist world-system, and how does it compare to previous periods that led to world wars? What factors are driving the similarities and differences between the present systemic chaos and earlier transitions in the world-system?...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University Library System, University of Pittsburgh
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of World-Systems Research |
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| Online Access: | http://jwsr.pitt.edu/ojs/jwsr/article/view/1286 |
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| author | Efe Can Gürcan |
| author_facet | Efe Can Gürcan |
| author_sort | Efe Can Gürcan |
| collection | DOAJ |
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What are the key characteristics of the current instabilities of the capitalist world-system, and how does it compare to previous periods that led to world wars? What factors are driving the similarities and differences between the present systemic chaos and earlier transitions in the world-system? What potential trajectories might the unfolding period of systemic instabilities take, and what balance of forces could emerge as dominant in shaping the world-system? Focusing on the foundational works of Wallerstein, Chase-Dunn, Goldstein, and Arrighi, this article critically re-evaluates the contemporary relevance and explanatory power of world-systems analysis. Its key contribution to world-systems literature lies in moving beyond the predominantly cyclical interpretations of world wars by integrating analytical tools, such as conceptual schemas and statistical evidence, with narrative approaches highlighting historical contingencies. Overall, contemporary systemic instabilities within the capitalist world-system are marked by the intensification of economic competition, geopolitical rivalries, and social discontent, reflecting historical patterns of systemic chaos during prior hegemonic transitions, yet distinguished by the unanticipated disruption of economic expansion since the 2010s, China’s unexpected rise alongside the fading influence Germany and Japan, the U.S.-China decoupling, the pivotal role of frontier technologies, and the fragmented character of heightened popular mobilization.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-52ee73fc9a5e44baadfecdfa126eb87a |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1076-156X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | University Library System, University of Pittsburgh |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of World-Systems Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-52ee73fc9a5e44baadfecdfa126eb87a2025-08-20T02:13:03ZengUniversity Library System, University of PittsburghJournal of World-Systems Research1076-156X2025-04-0131110.5195/jwsr.2025.1286Rethinking “World Wars” Through a World-Systems LensEfe Can Gürcan0Associate Professor at Istanbul Nişantaşı University, Adjunct Professor at Shanghai University, and Visiting Senior Fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science What are the key characteristics of the current instabilities of the capitalist world-system, and how does it compare to previous periods that led to world wars? What factors are driving the similarities and differences between the present systemic chaos and earlier transitions in the world-system? What potential trajectories might the unfolding period of systemic instabilities take, and what balance of forces could emerge as dominant in shaping the world-system? Focusing on the foundational works of Wallerstein, Chase-Dunn, Goldstein, and Arrighi, this article critically re-evaluates the contemporary relevance and explanatory power of world-systems analysis. Its key contribution to world-systems literature lies in moving beyond the predominantly cyclical interpretations of world wars by integrating analytical tools, such as conceptual schemas and statistical evidence, with narrative approaches highlighting historical contingencies. Overall, contemporary systemic instabilities within the capitalist world-system are marked by the intensification of economic competition, geopolitical rivalries, and social discontent, reflecting historical patterns of systemic chaos during prior hegemonic transitions, yet distinguished by the unanticipated disruption of economic expansion since the 2010s, China’s unexpected rise alongside the fading influence Germany and Japan, the U.S.-China decoupling, the pivotal role of frontier technologies, and the fragmented character of heightened popular mobilization. http://jwsr.pitt.edu/ojs/jwsr/article/view/1286Economic CyclesHegemonyMultipolaritySystemic ChaosWorld-SystemWorld Wars |
| spellingShingle | Efe Can Gürcan Rethinking “World Wars” Through a World-Systems Lens Journal of World-Systems Research Economic Cycles Hegemony Multipolarity Systemic Chaos World-System World Wars |
| title | Rethinking “World Wars” Through a World-Systems Lens |
| title_full | Rethinking “World Wars” Through a World-Systems Lens |
| title_fullStr | Rethinking “World Wars” Through a World-Systems Lens |
| title_full_unstemmed | Rethinking “World Wars” Through a World-Systems Lens |
| title_short | Rethinking “World Wars” Through a World-Systems Lens |
| title_sort | rethinking world wars through a world systems lens |
| topic | Economic Cycles Hegemony Multipolarity Systemic Chaos World-System World Wars |
| url | http://jwsr.pitt.edu/ojs/jwsr/article/view/1286 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT efecangurcan rethinkingworldwarsthroughaworldsystemslens |