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World Systems Theory in Archaeology Essay

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These papers deal with the world systems theory of Wallerstien's article as well as the other specialists' criticisms on it. They bring up basically three main ideas, which first off, include the significant role of the periphery in the core- periphery relationship. Secondly, the need to focus on internal and local affects on interrelations between different polities instead of concentrating on the external and generalized role of interaction. Lastly, they demand a model that is diversified enough to allow for analyzation of various levels of interaction between different groups.

In Halls article, he points out that this theory has a few weaknesses, such as its basis is on only one situation of modern times, which does not always …show more content…

Thus the first step in achieving a paradigm, he states Chase Dunn's suggestion that the empirical denominations of the world system theory's assumptions must be developed. Hall emphasizes other points that should be incorporated in a new methodology, which are not already present to the world systems theory by Wallenstein. One aspect is that each of system's units works in relation to the whole system; they do not develop on their own. Another is that each system is a world within itself; that its internal factors are just as important in its progress as the external factors affecting it. Other points that must be realized to achieve better understanding of past political social interaction, is to learn the positive aspects of expansion and incorporation and the role of peripheral and semi peripheral states, as well as the ramifications of incorporation on the system.

He includes some various world systems theories as examples in order to emphasize the different the facets that they can take such as being based on war, technological innovation, geopolitics etc. The incorporation of diverse models that concentrate on certain facets of the system into what he calls the "iteration model", will ultimately lead to a better understanding of social evolution.

At the same time, Hall realizes the importance of the core periphery in the study of social evolution. Contrary to the world systems model is

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