Schofer Do not copy or distribute without permission Announcements Announcements: Exams graded Will be returned in section next week Todays Class: Wrap up World-System Theory (WST) Also called dependency theory World Polity Theory (WPT) Also called Neo-institutional theory institutional theory, or world society theory Review: Theories of Globalization General perspectives on the economy Adam Smith Marx Keynesianism Sociological theories Modernization theory World Systems Theory (WST) / dependency theory World polity theory (WPT) / institutional theory Political Science Realism Institutionalism (Political science) / Interdependence Constructivism. Review: Modernization Theory Argument: All societies naturally pass through certain stages of development All societies start out as traditional economies Based on subsistence farming, hunting/gathering, etc Then, they have an industrial revolution Eventually, they become modern high-tech societies Modernization involved multiple shifts: Economy: Shift to higher levels of industrialization Institutions: Rise of modern government, legal systems, education systems, etc. People: Creation of modern persons Shift away from traditional values, toward science, etc Review: Modernization Theory Criticisms: 1. It is very Eurocentric / Western-centric Assumes that the West represents the ideal De-values other societies, cultural traditions 2. Modernization theory focuses on a single country, ignores global dynamics Assumes that success/failure is due to internal factors Rather than relation to others: domination & competition 3. Modernization theory is unable to explain the persistent poverty found in many countries. Review: World-System Theory (WST) Key Definitions: Core: the rich, developed countries Also: west; metropolitan countries; developed world Periphery: poor, dependent nations Also: underdeveloped countries; satellites; dependencies Semi-periphery: semi-industrialized countries Dependency: The vulnerable state of being exploited by core countries They depend on the core for trade, investment, loans, technology, etc. (related term: underdevelopment). Review: World-System Theory (WST) World-System Theory: We need to study the entire global economy as a world system We cant understand the fate of a single country, without understanding how it fits into the overall system Countries are rich or poor because of their position relative to others in the global capitalist system. Argument: Europe (the core) was able to prosper by exploiting resources from other places The great success of Europe and the failures in the non- West werent just a coincidence Europe became wealthy by maintaining economic & military dominance over other nations Exploited nations will never modernize as long as they are oppressed by Western nations. Review: World-System Theory (WST) Question: How does WST differ from other analysis of economic globalization? Both agree that economics = important But, economists often view the world economy positively (or neutrally) Ex: Ricardo thought trade was overall beneficial Ex: Many economists think globalization reduces poverty compared to a world without trade WST argues that globalization perpetuates inequality. Review: World-System Theory (WST) In contrast, WST argues that the global economic system is inherently unfair Economic power of core countries and MNCs is so great that the periphery will always be exploited The idea that governments and international institutions can make the system fair is an illusion Governments and international institutions (e.g., the WTO) will always reflect interests of capitalists Therefore, WST scholars are pessimistic about the role of global governance in solving social problems Consequently, the system must be substantially reorganized or overthrown. Review: World-System Theory (WST) How does WST view international organizations? Answer: They do not affect the fundamental economic positions of core and periphery Claim: Most IGOs and INGOs are created by core countries, and will never fundamentally undermine the dominance of the core IGOs and INGOs tend to perpetuate core dominance Example: WTO has not given big concessions to periphery The only thing that could help would be organizations representing the peripheral countries against the core! World-System Theory (WST) Question: Is world-system theory right? WST makes many claims. There is no simple answer 1. Analysis of Latin America is generally thought to be compelling 2. Rapid industrialization of South Korea, Taiwan, etc = major exceptions to WST 3. Evidence on foreign/trade investment = mixed, but often contradict WST Some studies find effects consistent with WST, but many do not. World-System Theory (WST) Criticisms of WST: 1. Research findings are mixed at best The specific WST predictions about sources of global inequality/poverty have often been wrong It is true that there is horrible poverty in the world But: Are people worse off than if there was no global economy? That is less clear. World-System Theory (WST) 2. WST doesnt make clear predictions After the fact, almost any action can be interpreted as serving the interests of global capitalists Example: The Montreal Protocol on CFC emissions An environmental treaty addressing pollution First, the core didnt sign it WST scholars said: See, the core is using its power to avoid the treaty! Later, when the core signed it, WST scholars said: See, the core has ensnared the peripheral countries in a treaty that will keep them in poverty A theory that can fit any evidence is not so useful. World-System Theory (WST) 3. Reverse causality WST argues: Countries that are dependent on the core of the world capitalist system will be trapped into a state of underdevelopment BUT, maybe it works the other way around Poverty produced dependent relations in the first place Poor countries cant produce high-tech goods, so they trade commodities (e.g., bananas) But, this doesnt necessarily mean that trading bananas made those countries poorer or trapped them into poverty. World Polity Theory (WPT) A very different theory of the global system Emphasizes culture, not economy World Polity Theory was also a response to modernization theory The expectation that countries will march through stages of development Key observation: While countries differ a lot in their level of development, many aspects of their governments look quite similar World Polity Theory argues that this conformity reflects the existence of a common global culture Which shapes how elites set up their governments, societies. World Polity Theory (WPT) Question: Why do people vote? Lets think about individuals, rather than states Conventional Answer: They want to maximize their power and interests Realism is an interest-based theory of action Thus, they go and vote for candidates that will enact favorable policies Is that what is going on in peoples heads? Do they really think: Heh, heh, heh Ill be rich!? In fact, a single vote rarely matters why do people bother? World Polity Theory (WPT) One alternative to interest-based action: Action is governed by culture and social norms A very different view: People vote because they are supposed to We live in a society in which voting is highly valued Example: Some of the biggest predictors of voting include: whether friends or parents vote If you are surrounded by voters (and pro-voting norms) you are more likely to vote. World Polity Theory (WPT) How does culture affect us? 1. By providing norms Norms indicate proper behavior in a given situation You could come to class wearing scuba gear but norms discourage it. In fact, we rarely consider actions that are against norms. World Polity Theory (WPT) 2. By providing scripts Scripts are taken-for-granted recipes for behavior that we share and understand Example: If you are interested in courting someone, you ask them on a date You do not show up at their house with 2 oxen and ask their fathers permission to marry People in a common culture generally follow similar scripts. World Polity Theory (WPT) 3. By providing cognitive models Cognitive models or maps are mental frameworks or blueprints that people share Example: Suppose you were chosen to set up a new school How would you design it? How many grades? What subjects? How big would classes be? When would the school year be? World Polity Theory (WPT) Note: Most ideas are drawn from a familiar model of the school Would you teach by apprenticeship? Keep boys and girls separate? Teach classes on astrology? Probably not! In the language of social psychology: We all possess a similar cognitive model or map of a school It is that which we take for granted. World Polity Theory (WPT) Question: Is it possible that there is (or is becoming) a globally shared culture that influences the governments of the world? Are there common cognitive maps that they use to design their schools? Their societies? If so, where might those common norms and models come from? World Polity Theory (WPT) Polity = associations and activities of the public/political sphere Example: Alexis de Toqueville studied the American polity in the 19th century He didnt just examine the state he also examined associational life (NGOs) and American culture He observed: The American state was weak (at the time); associational life shaped politics and society. World Polity Theory (WPT) The World Polity = political structures, associations, & culture in the international sphere Observation: There is no strong world state Rather, there are associations (IGOs, NGOs) Observation: Participants in the international system share a common culture IGOs and NGOs are typically run by people educated in Western-style tradition, believe in common things Example: Democracy, economic growth, education, etc. World Polity Theory World Polity Theory developed in response to modernization theory, WST, and realism Modernization theory predicted that poor, agricultural societies would be different from modern ones Example: Agricultural societies should have different educational systems (e.g., focused on farming) Example: WST predicts that governments of peripheral countries would mainly address commodity production. World Polity Theory Key observation: Societies were rapidly becoming more similar in terms of government and policies Called isomorphism Ex: Agricultural countries DIDNT create different educational systems They adopted systems similar to rich Western countries Ex: Countries also adopted similar legal systems, population and health policies, environmental laws, etc World Polity Theory (WPT) Question: Why did poor agricultural countries adopt the same kinds of policies as rich ones? Central Claim: Features of the state derive from worldwide models, constructed and propagated through global cultural and associational processes Meyer et al., p. 84 World Polity Theory (WPT) Key Claim: WPT suggests that states govern on the basis of cognitive models Cognitive models come from the culture and society around them: Associations, IGOs, NGOs, and other states make up a world society or world polity IGOs and NGOs convey models of how to govern Example: World bank conveys models of economic governance; UNESCO suggests educational advice; Amnesty International suggests human rights policies. Trends in Environmental Protection
Source: Frank et al. 2000
World Polity Theory (WPT) The (partial) success of global environmentalism is seen as evidence in support of WPT Nations appear to conform to new global norms Interest-based theories (WST & realism) have more difficulty explaining global environmentalism. World Polity Theory (WPT) How does WPT view international organizations? They play a key role: sustaining and promulgating a common culture to nations around the world Greenpeace, UNEP, and other international organizations convey norms about what nations should do to protect the environment Note: International organizations dont have power. They cant force states to do anything Nor does every single country obey the norms But, over time norms have a major effect on behavior. World Polity Theory (WPT) Worldwide models define appropriate constitutions, goals, organization charts, ministry structures, and policies Nation- states are imagined communities drawing on models that are lodged at the world level. Meyer et al., p. 88 Island example: What if a new territory were discovered? How would IGOs, INGOs, & global culture reshape it? World Polity Theory (WPT) WPT represents a corrective, emphasizing the influence of norms and culture not power the social sciences are reluctant to acknowledge patterns of influence and conformity that cannot be explained solely as matters of power or functional rationality. (Meyer et al. p. 84). World Polity Theory (WPT) Issue: Is World Polity Theory right? World polity theory is a new theory Controversial, but growing fast 1. World Polity research on isomorphism in government policy is considered compelling World polity research now dominates in some areas Evolutions of education systems around the world Understanding the success of the environmental movement Also, lots of work on trends regarding human rights 2. World Polity Theorists were first to realize the importance of INGOs in driving social change Other perspectives tended to ignore them World Polity Theory (WPT) Issue: Is World Polity Theory right? 3. The ideas behind WPT have garnered support in other areas Called neo-institutional theory Especially the study of organizations This suggests potential so people are working to apply its ideas to global issues. World Polity Theory (WPT) Criticisms of World Polity Theory 1. It doesnt address power This is intentional: WPT represents a corrective, emphasizing the influence of norms and culture the social sciences are reluctant to acknowledge patterns of influence and conformity that cannot be explained solely as matters of power or functional rationality. But, colonial relations were historically important in defining Western ideas as the dominant world culture Also, current global trends reflect US hegemony WPT scholars point out that US doesnt always benefit (e.g., when countries conform to US models of education) But, still it seems like power may be important. World Polity Theory (WPT) Criticisms of World Polity Theory 2. It doesnt sufficiently address actors or agency Again, this is an intentional goal of the theory which has come under criticism Theory implies we are all controlled by a wider culture Builds on Durkheims ideas of collective consciousness Where is room for agency? How can it explain variability in the world? World Polity Theory (WPT) Criticisms of WPT: 3. WPT explains government policies but not life on the ground Conformity to world culture may be strategic (to garner foreign aid) or very thin Ex: China may pretend to conform to global norms but in fact that is just a faade Interests, rather than culture are really driving behavior. WPT scholars have begun responding to this criticism but the issue is still being debated World Polity Theory (WPT) Bottom line: WPT is a fascinating theory offers a whole new lens to view the world A very useful lens that explains some things that other theories cant Also very useful for understanding organizations May be helpful if you start working for a big company But, people interested in power/inequality find it very frustrating It doesnt directly address the issues they care most about Plus, it is a newer perspective more evidence needed to fully evaluate it.