Societal Development, or Development of the World-System?

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Abstract
The terms, society and development, are two of the most common, most ambiguous, and most deceptive words in the sociological lexicon. 'Society' is closely identified with 'state'. 'Development' is closely identified with 'evolution'. Using an empirical analysis of the problems surrounding any discussion of two 'societies'- Germany and Puerto Rico - it is argued that the 'boundaries' of these 'societies' turn out to be redefined constantly, with changing political fortunes, and consequently offer no solid basis for the analysis of social processes. If there is any 'society' that has 'developed' in modem times, it can only have been that of the world-system.

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