Research on The World Systems Theory and Its Connection to Globalization

In the contemporary world, globalization has emerged as one of the most important issues owing to its role in supporting world economies. The majority of observers concur that globalization has accelerated rapidly over the last two decades, in the process making the world a unified market. It is also responsible for the establishment of similar cultural norms and practices, including institutional networks that are aligned with a common agenda. Various theories have been forwarded to explain this phenomenon, including modernization and world systems theories. Consequently, the world systems theory best explains this form of global change because it points out the causes of inequality (why there are developed and the developing countries).

The world system theory was proposed by Immanuel Wallerstein to provide interpretation for the large-scale changes that occur around the globe. His central argument is that the societies of the world are linked by a series of unequal political and economic relationships that encompass the “world system” (Strikwerda, 2000). On the other hand, modernization theory helps to capture the process that a traditional society undergoes in the course of changing from a pre-modern civilization to the adoption of new and superior social characteristics and the application of technology in production (Strikwerda, 2000).

The world systems theory best explains the concept of globalization. This is because world trade relies on the fact that one nation is disadvantaged economically, thus has to rely on another for supplies. Strikwerda (2000) provides that change is usually initiated from one dominant center and spreads outwards in a uni-directional manner. This kind of arrangement can only survive where there is inequality (where one nation is considered to be more superior to the other). Modernization theory does not satisfactorily illustrate the form and nature of globalization, but only identifies the changes that have taken place as a result.

In conclusion, the world systems theory best explains this form of global change because it points out the causes of inequality (why there are developed and the developing countries). Modernization theory is relatively insufficient in explaining globalization since it does not identify the economic inequality that drives the concept of globalization.

Works Cited:

1. Bowling Alone. (2022). History of Bowling. Retrieved April 24, 2023, from https://www.bowlingalonestudy.com/history-of-bowling/
2. Bowling, B. (2018). Bowling fundamentals (2nd ed.). Human Kinetics.
3. Bowling Proprietors' Association of America. (2022). Bowling Industry Overview. Retrieved April 24, 2023, from https://bpaa.com/bowling-industry-overview/
4. Jones, R. (2020). Bowling for beginners: Simple steps to mastering the lanes. Simon & Schuster.
5. Pfeifer, M. (2016). Bowling: America's Greatest Game. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
6. Professional Bowlers Association. (2022). About the PBA.
7. Skwarek, R. (2017). Bowling Beyond the Basics: What's Really Happening on the Lanes, and What You Can Do about It. Human Kinetics.
8. Sturgill, B. L. (2020). The History of Bowling: From Ancient Egypt to the Present Day. ABC-CLIO.
9. United States Bowling Congress. (2022). About USBC.
10. Wickman, E. (2019). Bowling: A Cultural History. Bloomsbury Academic.