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heidibird's review against another edition
informative
3.5
The language is a bit convoluted but the content really pops off around chapter 3.
lucien_david's review against another edition
fast-paced
4.25
A “quick and dirty” explanation of Wallerstein’s theory of the historical role of capitalism and its prospects for the future, this volume provides a good introduction to his thought and a compelling assessment of the capitalist world order.
bobf2d33's review against another edition
2.0
A book that makes sweeping generalizations with no evidence. Apparently historical capitalism is the cause of sexism, racism and runaway liberal individualism (all at once). My favorite quote: "by no means self-evident that there is more liberty, equality, and fraternity in the world toady than there was one thousand years ago. One might arguably suggest that the opposite is true.." Take your pick - live in 1014 or 2014.
fuhhlarzablur's review against another edition
4.0
Even considering that these two essays are soon to be 40 years out of date, they present a penetrating (although concise) overview of the strengths and vagaries of the capitalist world-system, and go as far as broadly projecting the new systemic forms that may arise as the capitalist system falls further into decay.
Possibly the boldest argument raised here by Wallerstein is his insistence that anti-systemic movements, in their various forms from the early nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth, are not only inevitable consequences of capitalist hegemony, they are essential to its very functioning. He paints a convincing picture of capitalism as a world-system held in equilibrium by its own internal tensions, and a close reading of this and other works may well serve to illustrate some of the points where excess tension might be most effectively applied.
Possibly the boldest argument raised here by Wallerstein is his insistence that anti-systemic movements, in their various forms from the early nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth, are not only inevitable consequences of capitalist hegemony, they are essential to its very functioning. He paints a convincing picture of capitalism as a world-system held in equilibrium by its own internal tensions, and a close reading of this and other works may well serve to illustrate some of the points where excess tension might be most effectively applied.
andreaschari's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
aniazuela's review against another edition
4.0
Me ayudó a entender como el racismo sistemático y el machismo van de la mano con el capitalismo. Me hubiera gustado que estuviera un poco más largo pero creo que es mejor abordar estos temas poco a poco.
piccoline's review against another edition
5.0
A swift, lucid narrative of just what's happened these last 500 years. Wallerstein writes with wit, clarity, and concision, and his analysis swoops through time gloriously. Also admirable: his clear explanation that though Marx was a great thinker, Marx himself recognized that he was a man of his time, and that thinkers in the future would need to keep up the analysis and develop understanding of the ways Capital always continues to mutate. Wallerstein has thought, deeply, about this stuff for so long that he's well prepared to breeze through the quick version here. The book's a page-turner that you can finish in a day or two, and his predictions, made in the early 90s, are hair-raisingly accurate.
If you wonder what all the Marxian fuss is about, this is a great primer on how Capital works, from someone with a healthy willingness to disagree with Marx (or anyone else) when necessary. (He's particularly convincing in his quibble with Marx about the myth of progress.)
Highly recommended.
If you wonder what all the Marxian fuss is about, this is a great primer on how Capital works, from someone with a healthy willingness to disagree with Marx (or anyone else) when necessary. (He's particularly convincing in his quibble with Marx about the myth of progress.)
Highly recommended.