The Modern World-System as a Civilisation

Abstract

Wallerstein’s paper underlines the difference, ambiguity and complex reality expressed and created by two opposite but equally important meanings or versions of the concept of ‘civilisation’. He identifies the singular version of ‘civilisation’ more or less with the concepts of ‘progress’ and ‘modern capitalism’ and the universalist ideologies or worldview connected with the former. The plural conception of the term (‘civilisations’) which became more usual in the early twentieth century is associated with a plurality of more localised ‘empires’ (or ‘world empires’) and with counter-movements against the general trend towards a global figuration or system of power without boundaries. Such counter-trends are often expressed in movements which are grounded in more localised or more particular(ist) social formations, or strands of ‘tradition’ respectively (such as fundamentalist religious or nationalist movements). He advocates the ‘deconstructing’ of the existing global system—modern capitalism—without constructing another one which would imply also inequality or hierarchy.