Immanuel Wallerstein (1930-2019) was one of the most influential yet controversial sociologists of the past half-century, known for both his central theoretical contribution of the “world-system” perspective and his wide-ranging empirical investigations into world capitalism, modernity, globalization, nationalism, development, Eurocentrism, anti-systemic movements and social change, among many other topics. Given Wallerstein’s recent passing – as well as his abiding call to “unthink” or “open” the orthodox social sciences – the time is ripe to reflect upon the depth and breadth of his legacy, and to examine the enduring relevance and acuity of his life and writings. The Anthem Companion to Immanuel Wallerstein offers an authoritative overview of Wallerstein’s contribution to political and historical sociology; critical and novel readings of central themes in Wallerstein’s work; and up-to-date assessments of debates regarding Wallerstein’s impact on the social sciences and humanities.

In the Companion, an international assembly of leading interpreters explore a wide range of Wallerstein’s work from a variety of sociological angles and situate his scholarly contributions in relation to contemporary world challenges. The contributions in this book place Wallerstein’s prolific output at the center of their analyses in order to elucidate both world-systems analysis as a theoretical and methodological approach, and the world-system itself as a complex sociological phenomenon. The chapters first explore the context and genesis of Wallerstein’s intellectual development, the central sociological, historical and political concepts Wallerstein devised and deployed to make sense of the modern world-system, and the key contributions he made to sociological analysis, before then taking up the question of how Wallerstein’s work can be critically utilized in light of new global challenges such as decolonization, gender inequality, climate change, pandemic capitalism, and the changing character of geopolitics in the 21st century world-system.

Overall, The Anthem Companion to Immanuel Wallerstein provides the most convenient and accessible guide to Wallerstein currently available for students, teachers, and researchers across the social sciences and humanities.

Chamsy el-Ojeili is Associate Professor of Sociology at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. He is author of The Utopian Constellation (2019) and (with Patrick Hayden) Critical Theories of Globalization (2006). 

Patrick Hayden is Professor Emeritus of Political Theory and International Relations at the University of St Andrews, UK. His books include Political Evil in a Global Age: Hannah Arendt and International Theory (2009) and Camus and the Challenge of Political Thought: Between Despair and Hope (2016).

Anthem Companions to Sociology

Notes on Contributors; Acknowledgments; 1.“There Is No Such Thing as Sociology”: Wallerstein as Sociologist, Chamsy el-Ojeili and Patrick Hayden; 2. From Africa to the World: The Sources of Wallerstein’s The Modern World-System, Gregory P. Williams; 3. Immanuel Wallerstein, World-Systems Analysis and the Structures of Knowledge, Richard E. Lee; 4. Wallerstein as International Political Sociologist: On Power, Hegemony and the Interstate System, Patrick Hayden and Chamsy el-Ojeili; 5. The Agonies of Liberalism: Wallerstein on the Rise and Fall of Liberal Ideology; Paul Voice; 6. Global Inequalities Avant la Lettre: Theoretical Filiations and Radical Critique, Manuela Boatcă; 7. Reckoning with Gender in the World-System: Insights from and Challenges to Wallerstein, Shelley Feldman; 8. The Past and Future of Anti systemic Movements: Possibilities and Limits of Social Change in Wallerstein’s World-Systems Analysis; Janet M. Conway; 9. The Global Environment and Climate Change in the Modern World-System, Jennifer E. Givens; 10. Pervasive Pandemics: Understanding Global Health and Disease from a World-Systems Perspective, Kelly F. Austin; Index