Abstract
A vast body of social science literature on long waves and major power wars has greatly enriched our knowledge about the rhythms and violent transitions of the modern world-system. The correlations between long waves and major power clashes in the past has been established. What are the structural causal mechanisms between these two historical and cyclical movements? Using trade network patterns as an indicator of a deep structure, this article summarizes a longitudinial study attempted to construct one of the missing links between the two historical cycles. Based on a structural analysis of world trade networks in 1938, 1950, and 1990, and a quantitative study of U.S.--Japanese commercial rivalry in the Asia-Pacific region, this study considers three logics of "major power rivalry" in the past and its implication for the future: (1) the logic of rivalry over "life spaces"; (2) the logic of rivalry for global domination; and (3) the logic of imperial intervention. I contend that these three logics are related, and that changes in one logic result in changes in others.
Highlights
This study identifies thirteen leading econo1nic sector s fro1n the 1500' s to the l 790' s
After 1944, given that U.K. power had been greatly eroded as a result of its 1nili tary struggle against Ger1nany, Britain was not powerful enough to resist Ainerican de1nands
The analysis presented in this paper suggests three
Summary
1994, for1ner U.S govern1nent officials, advisers and business analysts expressed concern that this could trigger a Japanese nuclear ar1na1nent. [2] Why should Japanese nuclear ar1na1nent concern the U.S.?. After 1944, given that U.K. power had been greatly eroded as a result of its 1nili tary struggle against Ger1nany, Britain was not powerful enough to resist Ainerican de1nands These econo1nic structures, as indicated by trade patterns, i1nply so1ne interesting logics of "1najor power rivalry". T.1y research shows that these networks are significantly different fro1n those that existed in 1960, a period of stable hege1nonic rule by the U.S The overlap of the U.S and Japanese blocs in the Asia-Pacific region is found to be an area of intensive econo1nic co1npeti tion instead of cooperation, which gives rise to a increasing literature of "geo -economic" struggle. If these are the 1najor logics governing the current world-system, indicators of each of the logics should be closely 1noni to red so that atte1npts at social intervention, based upon sound social science research, can be launched to decrease the probability of another global -scale catastrophe
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
