Criticism Of The Concept Of Hegemony In Immanuel Wallerstein's World-system Theory

This master's thesis aims to review the concept of hegemony in Immanuel Wallerstein's World-system Theory. From the perspective of the capitalist world economy, Wallerstein thought that the American hegemony is on declining because of its declining economy. But as the only one Superpower in the contemporary world, there is no any other country that can match the United States in strength. So there is a clear paradox between Wallerstein's theoretical forecast for the hegemonic developing trends and the international political reality. In this thesis, the author will try to analyse the reasons for the paradox , both subjectively and objectively.Except for the preface and conclusion, the thesis is divided into three parts. The first part introduces the concept of hegemony in Immanuel Wallerstein' s World-system Theory. The second part analyses the objective reasons for the paradox between Wallerstein' s theoretical forecast and the international political reality. While in the third part, the author will discuss the subjective reasons for the paradox.