The article under analysis is called “The critique of the world-system Theory: Class relations or division of labor” and is written by Albert Bergesen. The article is dedicated to the discussion of the main trigger points of the transition from feudalism to capitalism. Thus, the author analyzes two opposite views on that issue and tries to define the right position.
The article starts with consideration of the main reasons for the change in social relationships. The author presents the Marxists’ theory that runs about the emergence of capitalism as the production relationships. On the other hand, Brenner is a supporter of the theory of division of labor as the core concept of capitalism. In this respect, Bergesen tries to examine their positions from different angles and presents the evidence-based approach to those theories.
The authors consider Brenner’s point of view concerning the role of class relations in the development of capitalism. He supports the Marxists’ theory that stands for the dominating importance of class relations rather than trade relations as the basis of capitalism. On the other hand, his opinion does not coincide with Wallerstein’s view who states that the division of labor was the outcome of the changes in social relations.
Further, the article discloses the connection between the core/periphery relations and unequal commodity distribution. Thus, he denied the fact that capitalism was the outcome of new trade relations and the division of labor. On the contrary, he sticks to the point that the emergence of the new stage in the social relations of production was due to class struggles. In other words, the author emphasizes the historical aspect in the class relations development and the foundation of capitalism. Both economic development and underdevelopment have their own specific historical reasons, which are not interconnected. Bergesen is assured that Marxist theory works in case it does not involve periphery, but gives a diligent attention to the core relations.
On the other hand, the researcher expresses his disagreement concerning the Wallerstein’s theory of division of labor because the emergence of the world system was due to the unequal commodity exchange. Bergesen, being the supporter of the Marxist theory, discovers the weaknesses both of Brennen’s as well as Wallerstein’s positions. According to his point of view, the disadvantage of Marxists’ theory lies in considering class relations within a certain region. In their turn, the world system theorists are wrong considering commodity but not class relations as the crucial ones in the appearance of capitalism.
For the better understanding of the core principles of capitalism, the author studies other points of view on this problem in order to find what predetermined a new mode of production. Nevertheless, the author skeptically perceived the answers given by Andre Gunder Frank who believed that exchange and production are mutually connected since that idea denied the prevailing role of class relations.
After considering the core points of the article, it brings me to the conclusion the author’s analysis of world systems theory has a significant value for the further study of the economic and class relationships. In addition, all the points have the ground basis and, therefore, the article deposited to the better understanding of the main historic processes that influenced the development of trade and capitalism. Besides, Bergesen proved that class relations are the core point that predetermined the transition from feudalism to capitalism.