The world-system perspective as promulgated by Immanuel Wallerstein is one of the most influential approaches to the study of political and economic ties between the nations of the world. But there are other schools of thought that also look at the world economy as a whole through history. This volume presents work from well-known world-systems analysts including Wallerstein, scholars from other schools such as George Modelski, and political scientists who take divergent approaches to similar subjects. What emerges is a great theoretical discussion. The book also features an exceptionally clear introduction by the editor to the concepts and issues of the world-system perspective, its antecedents, its assets, and its deficiencies. `This intriguing...volume is...well worth reading...unquestionably a very useful contribution to the literature.′ -- Perspective, April 1984 `a most thought-provoking collection′ -- International Affairs, 1985