Re: Critique of World-System Ideology (1) - Comparative Exploitation

I have always wondered why Wallerstein never labeled his approach
as a "paradigm" but as "world-system analysis". Would be it fair
to call his approach as "a set of ideas" rather than a paradigm?
To me, his approach appears like a paradigm in the sense that it
contains some partial confirmation of empirical reality, a coherent
world-view, a unique methodological approach toward understanding
historical reality, and a community of practioners.

If we can call it a paradigm, then some "interesting" implications
may emerge. Like all paradigms, it may be replaced by another
paradigm, if we accept what Thomas Kuhn saw as the pattern 
in the life-history of knowledge. 

I am wondering whether that was the reason why he did not want to call it
a paradigm.


Quee-Young   Kim
Department of Sociology
University of Wyoming
kim@uwyo.edu



-----Original Message-----
From: Carl Dassbach [mailto:dassbach@mtu.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 11:08 AM
To: g kohler; wsn@csf.colorado.edu
Subject: Re: Critique of World-System Ideology (1) - Comparative
Exploitation


Well stated in the article.  Its about time someone brought this up.

But I would not call comparative advantage a world-system ideology.  If
anything "world-system" as a set of ideas about the functioning of the world
economy is critical of comparative advantage.  Comparative advantage is an
ideology of globalization or a neo-liberalism.


----- Original Message -----
From: "g kohler" <kohlerg@3web.net>
To: <wsn@csf.colorado.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 11:29 AM
Subject: Critique of World-System Ideology (1) - Comparative Exploitation


> Critique of World-System Ideology (1) - Comparative Advantage as
Comparative
> Exploitation
>
> Certain ideologies serve to maintain a world-system in a particular
> configuration. A centerpiece of contemporary world-system ideology is the
> doctrine of comparative advantage, which is central in the doctrine of
free
> trade. This article takes a textbook example of comparative advantage and
> stands it on its head. Full text online at:
> http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/EA29Dj02.html
>
> Gernot Köhler
>
>