JWSR v10n3-Complete Issue




journal of world-systems research, x, , fall , 
http://jwsr.ucr.edu/
issn 1076–156x 
© 2004 Christopher Chase-Dunn

By Christopher Chase-Dunn
Co-Editor

Here are three studies of the phe-nomenon of rise and fall in 
premodern historical systems. In the 
modern world-system an analogous pro-
cess takes the form of the rise and fall of 
hegemonic core powers, and the arena 
of contention became global in scope 
during the 19th century (c.e.). Th e stud-
ies here are of three diff erent and largely 
separate regional world-systems during 
diff erent time periods. All three focus 
on state formation, empire building and 
collapse. 

Th ompson’s study is one of the fi rst 
to systematically test for possible causes 
of the sequence of increasing and then 
decreasing societal complexity and polit-
ical centralization/decentralization in 
Bronze Age Mesopotamia. He employs 
the methods of bivariate and multivari-
ate time series logit analysis to examine 
the temporal and causal relationships 
between urbanization, economic disor-
der, trade disruptions, climate change 
and incursions by peripheral peoples. 

Wilkinson’s study is one of a series 
in which he reads standard histories in 
order to code the power confi guration 

of interstate systems at ten-year inter-
vals. “Power confi guration” codes the 
degree of centralization of state systems 
as seven ordinal categories, ranging 
from total empire to “non-polarity” (no 
great powers, many small independent 
states). Wilkinson’s focus in this study 
is the “Central” system from 1500 to 700 
b.c.e. Th e Central system was formed 
near the beginning of this time period 
by merger of the formerly separate 
Egyptian and Mesopotamian state sys-
tems.¹ Wilkinson discusses the results 
of his prodigious coding endeavor in 
historical and comparative perspective, 
refl ecting on some of the explanations 
for the transitions in power confi gura-
tion that he fi nds.

Kea’s study uses recent archaeo-
logical evidence from West Africa to 
examine the emergence of states and 
urbanized regions before and during the 
African Iron Age. His study shows pat-
terns of rise and fall, and shifting cen-
ters of power within the West African 
system, and he convincingly makes the 
case that this regional system played a 
generative ideological and fi nancial role 
as it expanded and merged with the 
Mediterranean system.

Premodern Historical Systems: 
Th e Rise and Fall of States and Empires

¹. Th ese regions had been linked by prestige goods exchanges since before  bce.

special section

http://jwsr.ucr.edu/

	Special Section
	Introduction