Re: World Systems

Chase: there are many different theories depending on what is to be 
explained.
there is a perspective that focusses on the whole system of important
interactions (trade, investment warfare and alliances, communications,
cultural contact and differences) including local, regional an
inter-regional. this is a different emphasis from approaches that see
societies as substantially independent systems of interaction.
consideration of intersocietal networks and structures conceptualizes
patterns and features of the whole system of interaction -- the
world-system. one important structural pattern is the core/periphery
hierarchy, a  feature of the whole system.  this does not require that
everything is determined by whole-system features or processes.

George: As I have said in another letter the core/periphery hierarchy seems 
to omit the
equalisation of the rate of profit and the law of the tendency of the rate 
of profit out
of account. Does this mean that world systems theory reject Marx's value 
categories etc.

Surely if the tendency towards the general rate of profit to fall operates 
then capital
will be exported to what wst calls the periphery. From falling profit 
regions to higher
profit regions. If this happens then it follows that as capital is 
progressively exported
out to the periphery there will be a tendency for economic development to 
take off in the
satellites. Eventually this then should create a tendency towards the 
international
equalisation of the rate of profit causing a corresponding redistribution 
of capital
internationally.

If this is so then there ought to be a greater export of capital to 
sub-tropical Africa
where the rate of profit should tend to be much higher than in the West.

Warm regards
George Pennefather

Be free to check out our Communist Think-Tank web site at
http://homepage.tinet.ie/~beprepared/