ABSTRACT
The specific claims of world-system theory can be separated into statements about system "structure" and system "dynamics". The former comprises the defining characteristics of the system, its components, and the relationships among those components. The latter concerns the processes of change to and within the structure. The most basic claim made by world-system theorists is that an identifiable social system exists that extends beyond the boundaries of individual societies or nations. These theorists argue that it is a mistake to view the world as a set of independent societies that can be analyzed by focusing solely on events internal to them. World-system theorists regard capitalism as a global system for organizing economic activities. The other basic defining feature of the modern world-system is its historically unique system of political organization. The economic and political relationships within the world-system take place among certain key components: economic zones, nation-states, social classes, and status groups.
