Re-visioning the Core

: World-Systems Analysis of Contemporary China

Abstract

The driving central research question within this thesis is to explore the question of China as a core state from within the conceptual and analytical realm of world-systems analysis. Most contemporary world-systems analysis of China places China either in the semi-periphery or the periphery of the world-system. These low systemic positionalities indicate China as structurally weak within the world-system, a position that seems at odds with most mainstream IR analysis of China’s geopolitical realities, which see China as a central global power.

I argue that applying a modified world-systems analysis to China can help reveal interesting insights about China’s own development trajectory and its interaction with other systemic actors. To do this task I return to the original world-systems works of Immanuel Wallerstein and Giovanni Arrighi. I draw out five thematic analytic categories and sketch out an understanding of core dynamics through generative and transformative moments. I also draw out the importance of understanding generative and transformative dynamics within the context of distinct historic moments. Having set out this broad scope analytic framework I then proceed to carry out an analysis of China from 2005 to 2022.

My basic argument is that China should now be viewed as a core state. However, two key factors are derived from the analysis. First, China has produced a much more centrally organised socio-economic structure than other core states. Second, Chinese socio-economic structures are institutionally separated from established core actors (notably in the financial realm). I argue that China’s centralised institutional features can be seen as adaptive and highly effective in terms of the long term evolution of capitalist governance. I also argue that given China’s institutional separation from established core powers we are seeing a different set of intra-core competitive dynamics at this juncture than in past periods of systemic chaos.

Date of Award	2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Aberystwyth University
Sponsors	Economic and Social Research Council
Supervisor	Charalampos Efstathopoulos (Supervisor) & Andrew Davenport (Supervisor)