Re: difference WS and dependencia theories

On Sat, 13 Apr 2002, g kohler wrote:

|having mentioned dependencia theory recently, I am now realizing that
|the difference between dependencia theory and world system (and
|world-systems) theory is not very clear to me after all. I would
|appreciate it if someone could clarify that. Thanks.

My 2c' worth, in brief: dependencia theories (DT) emphasize single chains of
dependency (e.g., Honduras >> United Fruit Co. >> United States);
world-systems theory (WST) is in this respect a comprehensive generalization
of the dependency principle to the "world." In addition, WST is more
resolutely historical by explicitly allowing, and even aiming to predict,
mobility, qualitative change and the necessity of the end to the system than
much of DT. On the other hand, WST is more vulnerable to criticisms of
"holistic determinism," i.e., a certain kind of insensitivity to local
variation and difference. Soviet- and Chinese-style state socialism presented
a particularly tough challenge to WST.

I still find the first chapter in Gary Gereffi's book on the pharmaceuticals
to be a very useable summary of of the developments that have lead to WST.

József (Böröcz)