World Inequality

What has changed with the advent of the modern world since the 16th century is either the existence of inequalities nor the felt need to justify them deologically. What has changed is that those who defend the "inevitability" of inequalities argue that eventually, inequality will diminish. This factor is at the base of the debate on "international development."

The current debate however is a variant of the classic debates but a number of new issues have outdated these considerations. The thesis of the contributors to this book is that the modern world comprises more than ever before a single world capitalist economy. It follows from this that nation states are not societies that have separate, parallel histories, but parts of a whole reflecting that whole. To the extent that stages exist, they exist for the system as whole. To understand the internal class contradictions and political struggles of a particular society we must first situate it in the world-economy. We can then understand the ways in which various political and structural thrusts may be efforts to alter or preserve a position within this world system which may be to the advantage or disadvantage of particular groups within a particular society.

Prof. Wallerstein brings together leading international authorities which include: Richard D. Wolff, Mohamed Dowidar, Jean Piel, Ervand Abrahamian, Albert-Paul Lentin, Mohamed Harbi, Carey Hector, Bogdan Denitch, Denis Brutus, Jorge Niosi, Mohamed-Salah Sfia and others.

Experts from various fields and many countries offer their views through this selection of articles constituting an international debate on inequality and development.