Interpreting the world with world-systems theory: its significance, strengths, and weaknesses as an alternative approach in social science

The recognition of the significance of the findings which is obtained by social scientific methods in analysing social problems has led to develop social theory. One of the most indispensable parts of this continuing development has been to analyse the world as a complete structural system defined by social, economic, and cultural features. World-systems theory, which was pioneered by Immanuel Wallerstein, has attained a significant place in the world of social science by aiming to achieve such an analysis from a unique perspective that differs from widely known classical theories. For over forty years, it has provided both theoretical and methodological grounds to a great deal of studies aiming to understand and explain the social world. This article explains the significance of World-Systems Theory as an alternative approach to social studies, with a consideration of its theoretical and methodological strengths and weaknesses. With a content that covers a wide range of discussions from historical occurrences to capitalist systems, and to globalisation with global identifications, the current article aims to catalyse forty-year-old fruitful scientific discussions, and thus nourish the development of new research ideas which aim at understanding social problems over the world with a distinctive approach.