Systemic Reconfiguration of Capitalism: Applying Ruggie’s Critique of Waltz in Economics

Reconfiguração Sistêmica do Capitalismo: Aplicando a Crítica de Ruggie à Waltz na Economia

Abstract

This paper identifies changes in the center-periphery structure due to transformations in capitalism since 1970. In its new configuration, capitalism not only altered center-periphery relations but also exerted impact upon peripheral units that affect the system structure itself. This paper aims to apply Ruggie’s famous critique of Waltz in International Relations to analyse global capitalism and show how the changes in the center-periphery cleavage is affecting its systemic reconfiguration in the 21st century. This research identifies the boomerang effect as a new systemic element, that is, as a byproduct of the interaction of units of the global capitalist system in the 21st century.

Keywords
capitalism; center-periphery cleavage; boomerang effect; Ruggie’s critique; economics.