From the Periphery to the Center: How China Made a Breakthrough in the Theory of World Systems
( Pp. 131-137)
More about authors
Xiaohan Xue
postgraduate student, Department of Public Policy and History of State and Law
Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba
Moscow, Russian Federation Popov Sergey I. Cand. Sci. (Polit.), Associate Professor; associate professor, Department of Public Policy and History of State and Law; Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba; Moscow, Russian Federation
Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba
Moscow, Russian Federation Popov Sergey I. Cand. Sci. (Polit.), Associate Professor; associate professor, Department of Public Policy and History of State and Law; Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba; Moscow, Russian Federation
Abstract:
Since the reform and opening up, China, leveraging its unique national advantages and strategic choices, has rapidly developed into the world’s second-largest economy in just a few decades. Such a transformation is unprecedented on the world stage. China’s rapid rise poses a fundamental challenge to the classic explanatory framework represented by Wallerstein’s world-systems theory. This paper aims to analyze in depth how the Chinese government, through a series of internal decisions and external deployments, has risen from a peripheral state to a core state. This paper argues that China’s rise path is manifested in: internally, accumulating resources and enhancing national capabilities; externally, changing the traditional division of labor through infrastructure exports, and promoting the transformation of the world system towards a multipolar network. The unique Chinese model also offers some insights for the development of other countries.
How to Cite:
Xue Xiaohan, Popov, S.I. (2026). From the periphery to the center: How China made a breakthrough in the theory of world systems. Sociopolitical Sciences, 16(1), 131–137. DOI: 10.33693/2223-0092-2026-16-1-131-137. EDN: KFMNWA
Reference list:
Bakaev S.D. Immanuel Wallerstein’s world-system analysis. Bulletin of the Moscow University. Series 18: Sociology and Political Science. 2008. No. 1. Pp. 107–120. (In Rus.)
Liu Guoliang, Fu Fan, Yang Huixin. How do digital technologies stimulate the upgrading of the manufacturing industry? Empirical Evidence Based on the WIOD Cross-Country Database. Bulletin of Shandong University (Philosophy and Social Sciences). 2024. No. 6. Pp. 129–141. (In Chinese)
Rakhmanov A.B. Towards a critique of I. Wallerstein’s world-system theory. Bulletin of Moscow University. Series 18: Sociology and Political Science. 2005. No. 4. Pp. 65–81. (In Rus.)
Regin C., Chiro D. Immanuel Wallerstein’s world-system: Sociology and politics as history. In: Vision and method in historical sociology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1984. Pp. 276–325.
Huang Qunhui. Industrial Development and the industrialization process of China in 40 years of reform and opening up. Chinese Industrial Economy. 2018. No. 9. Pp. 5–23. (In Chinese). DOI: 10.19581/j.cnki.ciejournal.2018.09.011.
Cai Fang. Patterns of industrialization embedded in China’s development. Research on Shandong Economic Strategy. 2019. No. 9. Pp. 35–37. (In Chinese)
Liu Guoliang, Fu Fan, Yang Huixin. How do digital technologies stimulate the upgrading of the manufacturing industry? Empirical Evidence Based on the WIOD Cross-Country Database. Bulletin of Shandong University (Philosophy and Social Sciences). 2024. No. 6. Pp. 129–141. (In Chinese)
Rakhmanov A.B. Towards a critique of I. Wallerstein’s world-system theory. Bulletin of Moscow University. Series 18: Sociology and Political Science. 2005. No. 4. Pp. 65–81. (In Rus.)
Regin C., Chiro D. Immanuel Wallerstein’s world-system: Sociology and politics as history. In: Vision and method in historical sociology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1984. Pp. 276–325.
Huang Qunhui. Industrial Development and the industrialization process of China in 40 years of reform and opening up. Chinese Industrial Economy. 2018. No. 9. Pp. 5–23. (In Chinese). DOI: 10.19581/j.cnki.ciejournal.2018.09.011.
Cai Fang. Patterns of industrialization embedded in China’s development. Research on Shandong Economic Strategy. 2019. No. 9. Pp. 35–37. (In Chinese)
Keywords:
China’s rise, world-systems theory, core-periphery structure, multipolarity, industrialization, Belt and Road Initiative.
