Thesis (MA (Political Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study explores the claim that Great Power Wars are a necessary condition for successful
hegemonic ascent in the modern world-system, primarily from the standpoint of World-
Systems Analysis. This study advances the conception of hegemony primarily in economic
and state terms, and it was investigated, by way of a historical case study, how the Thirty
Years’ War (1618-1648) impacted the economic domains of agro-industrial production,
commerce, and finance of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, and its main rival for
systemic leadership, Hapsburg Spain.
The variables utilised in the study were Great Power War, and the ‘material base’ of the state
involved (both independent), the three abovementioned economic domains (intervening),
and hegemony or defeat (dependent). The case study was primarily descriptive and
explanatory, with the use of process-tracing in its compilation, and a method of within-case
structured, focused comparison was utilised with the aim of tentatively producing
standardised, generalised knowledge concerning the wider link between Great Power War
and hegemony beyond the Dutch case.
The findings of the study, although derived from only one historical case of hegemonic
ascent in the modern world-system, strongly support the argument that Great Power War is
necessary to secure the hegemony of the leading insular core state, which is physically
removed from the fighting during the conflict, since the full mobilisation of its economy is
effected, while the economies of most other core states are impaired, especially the main
continental rival for hegemony. However, the ascending hegemon must also possess the
requisite favourable ‘material base’. Further research on this topic is called for, given the
potential destructiveness of a future Great Power War, and its role in establishing hegemony
in the modern world-system. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek die bewering dat Groot Moontheid Oorloë ‘n noodsaaklike vereiste
is vir suksesvolle hegemoniese bestyging in die moderne wêreld-sisteem, hoofsaaklik vanaf
die standpunt van Wêreld-Sisteem Analise. Hierdie studie bevorder die konsepsie van
hegemonie hoofsaaklik in ekonomiese en staat terme, en dit het ondersoek, deur middel van
‘n historiese gevallestudie, hoe die Dertig Jaar Oorlog (1618-1648) ingewerk het op die
ekonomiese arenas van agri-industriële produksie, handel, and finansies van die Verenigde
Provinsies van Nederland, en hul mededinger vir sistemiese leierskap, Spanje.
Die veranderlikes wat in die studie ingespan was, was Groot Moontheid Oorlog, en die
‘materiële basis’ van die state in kwessie (onafhanlik), die drie bogenoemde ekonomiese
arenas (albei tussenkomend), en hegemonie of nederlaag (afhanklik). Die gevallestudie was
hoofsaaklik beskrywend en verduidelikend, en proses-nasporing (oftewel ‘process-tracing’) is
in die samestelling daarvan benut, en ‘n metode van gestruktureerde, gefokusde vergelyking
(oftewel ‘structured, focused comparison’) is gebruik binne die gevallestudie met die doel
om tentatiewe gestandardiseerde en veralgemeende kennis te genereer wat bydra tot die
verduideliking van die wyer skakel tussen Groot Moontheid Oorlog en hegemonie buite die
geval van die Verenigde Provinsies.
Die bevindinge van die studie, hoewel gegenereer aan die hand van slegs een historiese geval
van hegemoniese bestyging in the moderne wêreld-sisteem, het sterk steun verleen aan die
argument dat Groot Moontheid Oorloë nodig is om die hegemonie van die vernaamste
insulêre kern staat te bewerkstellig, wat fisies verwyderd van die gevegte is tydends die oorlog,
aangesien die volle mobilisasie van die ekonomie van hierdie staat bewerkstellig word, terwyl
die ekonomieë van die meerderheid van die ander kernstate benadeel word, veral die
vernaamste kontinentale mededinger om hegemonie. Die opkomende hegemoon moet egter
ook oor die vereiste gunstige ‘materiële basis’ beskik. Verdere navorsing in hierdie veld word
benodig, gegewe die waarskynlike vernietiging wat gesaai kan word deur ‘n toekomstige
Groot Moontheid Oorlog, en die rol daarvan in die daarstelling van hegemonie in die
moderne wêreld-sisteem.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/2787 |
| Date | 03 1900 |
| Creators | Siebrits, Andre |
| Contributors | McGowan, P. J., University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Political Science. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | Unknown |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Stellenbosch |
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