Immanuel Wallerstein and the Genesis of World-Systems Analysis

Even radical innovations are shaped by historical paths and contexts. They depart from some features, reproduce others, and show the marks of their origins. It takes nothing away from the achievements of remarkable creators, save perhaps individualistic illusions, to note that they are made possible by preparation, pathways, and contributions from many sources. World-systems analysis is no exception. One of the most original and important social science projects of the late twentieth century, it was produced by many scholars working and debating together across disciplinary and national lines. Yet Immanuel Wallerstein was crucial. His intellectual innovation, clarity, and dogged pursuit of core themes were all remarkable. So were ISSN: 1076-156X | Vol. 29 Issue 2 | DOI 10.5195/JWSR.2023.1197 | jwsr.pitt.edu