Ideology, Culture and Agency in World-Historical Sociology: World-System and Globalization Theories

Abstract

Two approaches to comprehending contemporary global society - Immanuel Wallerstein's world-system theory & Roland Robertson's globalization theory - are contrasted, arguing for the latter because of its epistemological & analytical superiority, while the former is criticized for is ideological leanings, unnecessary neglect of agency in favor of structure, & theoretical weakness in handling complex cultural issues. However, Robertson's theory lacks a phenomenological dimension, thus exposing it to criticisms for failing to systematically elaborate the links between individuals & globalization. It is suggested that this problem is easily remedied by employing Jean-Paul Sartre's existential philosophy. A short interpretive diachronic application to Singapore as a locality embedded in globality - which heuristically divides the experience of globalization in Singapore into three overlapping historical phases of colonial, national, & global modernity - is given to affirm & support the arguments.