After Liberalism »

In After Liberalism, the distinguished historian and political scientist Immanuel Wallerstein examines the process of disintegration of our modern world-system and speculates on the changes that may occur during the next few decades. He explores the historical choices before us and suggests paths for reconstructing our world-system on a more rational and socially equitable basis.

Library Journal

Wallerstein started out as a specialist in African politics, but since the 1970s he has been known for his books on the "modern capitalist world-system." His latest work is a collection of recent essays examining the rise and fall of liberalism as the organizing principle of the modern world-system. According to Wallerstein, the period from 1789 to 1989 represents the era of economic and political liberalism. From this perspective, the collapse of communism and the Soviet bloc marks not only the end of Marxism-Leninism but also the unraveling of liberal ideology, which is incapable of responding effectively to the antistatism of contemporary political movements. Wallerstein argues that we are now entering a period of transition that "will be a time of systemic disorder, disintegration, and acute political struggle about what kind of world system(s) we shall construct." If he is correct, then even the most stable of societies should brace themselves for a period of social turbulence and economic uncertainty. Wallerstein's provocative and far-ranging thesis will undoubtedly generate heated debates among scholars and graduate students. Recommended for academic libraries.-Kent Worcester, Social Science Research Council, New York