Features the assumptions and conclusions of leading figures in comparative civilizational studies and world systems analysis. This book presents an introduction to thinking about global historical change.

chapter 1 Introduction chapter 2 I. CIVILIZATIONAL APPROACHES chapter 3 S. Sanderson, Introduction chapter 4 M. Melko, The Nature of Civilizations chapter 5 D. Wilkinson, Central Civilization chapter 6 W. Eckhardt, A Dialectical Evolutionary Theory of Civilizations, Empires, and Wars chapter 7 II. WORLD SYSTEMS APPROACHES chapter 8 S. Sanderson, T. Hall, Introduction chapter 9 C. Chase-Dunn, T. Hall, Cross-World-System Comparisons chapter 10 B. Gills, Capital and Power in the Processes of World History chapter 11 A. G. Frank, The Modern World System Revisited chapter 12 A. Bergesen, Let's be Frank about World History chapter 13 A. Bosworth, World Cities and World Economic Cycles chapter 14 III. CIVILIZATIONISTS AND WORLD-SYSTEM THEORISTS: DIALOGUE AND INTERPLAY chapter 15 S. Sanderson, T. Hall, Introduction chapter 16 I. Wallerstein, Hold the Tiller Firm chapter 17 D. Wilkinson, Civilizations are World Systems! chapter 18 S. Sanderson, Expanding World Commercialization chapter 19 V. Roudometof, R. Robertson, Globalization, World-System Theory and the Comparative Study of Civilizations chapter 20 IV. EPILOGUE chapter 21 S. Sanderson, Introduction chapter 22 W. McNeill, The Rise of the West after Twenty-five Years chapter 23 Index

Sanderson has made a notable contribution to the literature by bringing together the pieces included in this book. He has also made a very worthy effort in summarizing each perspective at the beginning of the first two parts and in pointing out basic questions for discussion....It should also fit nicely in reading lists for third-year undergraduate and graduate seminars on world historical change and the contemporary international system.