World-Systems Theory in Practice Leadership, Production, and Exchange

In the quarter century since Wallerstein first developed world systems theory (WST), scholars in a variety of disciplines have adopted the approach to explain intersocietal interaction on a grand scale. These essays bring to light archaeological data and analysis to show that many historic and prehistoric states lacked the mechanisms to dominate the distant (and in some cases, nearby) societies with which they interacted. Core/periphery exploitation needs to be demonstrated, not simply assumed, as the interdisciplinary dialogue which occurs in this volume demonstrates. World-Systems Theory in Practice will appeal to individuals with an interest in the application of WST in both the Old World and the New World. The papers in this volume reflect the vitality of the debate concerning the use of such generalizing theories and will be of interest to archeologists, anthropologists, historians, sociologists, and those involved in the study of civilizations.

Rani T. Alexander is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at New Mexico State University Gary M. Feinman is a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Andre Gunder Frank is on the Graduate Faculty of Sociology at the University of Toronto and Professor Emeritus of Development Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Amsterdam Thomas D. Hall is Lester M. Jones Professor of Sociology at DePauw University Robert J. Jeske is Associate Professor of Anthropology in the Department of Anthropology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee P. Nick Kardulias is Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Archaeology at the College of Wooster Lawrence A. Kuznar is Associate Professor of Anthropology at Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne Darrell LaLone is Professor of Anthropology at DePauw University George Modelski is Professor of Political Science Emeritus at the University of Washington Ian Morris is Jean and Rebecca Willard Professor of Ancient History and Archaeology at Stanford University, and Chair of the Classics Department Peter N. Peregrine is Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Lawrence University Edward M. Schortman is Professor of Anthropology at Kenyon College Mark T. Shutes is Associate Professor of Anthropology at Youngstown State University Gil J. Stein is Associate Professor of Anthropology at Northwestern University William R. Thompson is Professor of Political Science at Indiana University Patricia A. Urban is Professor of Anthropology at Kenyon College Peter S. Wells is Professor of Anthropology at the University of Minnesota