After Liberalism

by Immanuel Wallerstein

Overview

In After Liberalism, the distinguished historian and political scientist Immanuel Wallerstein examines the process of disintegration of our modern world-system and speculates on the changes that may occur during the next few decades. He explores the historical choices before us and suggests paths for reconstructing our world-system on a more rational and socially equitable basis.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781565843042
Publisher:	New Press, The
Publication date:	11/01/1995
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	837,019
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Immanuel Wallerstein is a senior research scholar in the department of sociology at Yale Universityand director emeritus of the Fernand Braudel Center at Binghamton University. He is also a resident researcher at the Maison des Sciences de l'Homme in Paris. His many books include The Modern World-System and Historical Capitalism. The New Press has published After Liberalism, The Decline of American Power, and a collection of his works, The Essential Wallerstein. He lives in New Haven, Connecticut, and Paris, France.

Editorial Reviews

"After Liberalism is a lucid account of recent political changes and a provocative look at what to expect in the coming decades." —Midwest Book Review

"Provocative . . . likely to appeal to adventurous readers who like to challenge conventional wisdom." —Booklist

"Wallerstein is lucid, informed and insightful." —The New York Times

From the Publisher

Wallerstein started out as a specialist in African politics, but since the 1970s he has been known for his books on the "modern capitalist world-system." His latest work is a collection of recent essays examining the rise and fall of liberalism as the organizing principle of the modern world-system. According to Wallerstein, the period from 1789 to 1989 represents the era of economic and political liberalism. From this perspective, the collapse of communism and the Soviet bloc marks not only the end of Marxism-Leninism but also the unraveling of liberal ideology, which is incapable of responding effectively to the antistatism of contemporary political movements. Wallerstein argues that we are now entering a period of transition that "will be a time of systemic disorder, disintegration, and acute political struggle about what kind of world system(s) we shall construct." If he is correct, then even the most stable of societies should brace themselves for a period of social turbulence and economic uncertainty. Wallerstein's provocative and far-ranging thesis will undoubtedly generate heated debates among scholars and graduate students. Recommended for academic libraries.-Kent Worcester, Social Science Research Council, New York

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