Question

Which statement explains why Immanuel Wallerstein’s classification is preferred by sociologists?

a. It simplifies global economic systems into three categories.
b. It focuses solely on political structures.
c. It excludes cultural factors in world systems.
d. It is primarily based on historical events.

Answer 1

Sociologists prefer Immanuel Wallerstein's World Systems Approach because it integrates the economic hierarchy of nations with their historical context, offering a comprehensive framework to understand global inequality.

Step-by-step explanation:

Immanuel Wallerstein's classification through the World Systems Approach is preferred by sociologists because it offers a comprehensive framework that integrates economic dimensions with historical context, which is crucial in understanding global inequality. Wallerstein's innovative approach illuminates how historical events, specifically capitalist expansion, have created a hierarchical global economy with core nations dominating over peripheral nations. This hierarchy affects nations' access to resources and their potential for economic mobilization. The historical basis of Wallerstein's work allows for a nuanced understanding of persistent inequalities and the structural challenges faced by economically subordinate nations, thus providing a powerful tool for the critical analysis of global interrelations.

While the World Bank uses a simplistic income-based classification of economies, Wallerstein's model delves deeper into the development history of various nations, using the terminology of core and periphery to differentiate economic statuses and historical roles within the global system. Sociologists prefer this model due to its multidimensional analysis which incorporates social, political and economic factors, providing richer insights than a solely GDP-oriented outlook.