LEADERSHIP IN GLOBAL POLITICAL SYSTEM: GEORGE MODELSKI AND LONG CYCLES IN WORLD POLITICS

Systemic approaches or theories which are aimed to comprehend wholeness of processes are used both in natural and social sciences. Such approaches or theories in international relations discipline were emerged after the Second World War. In this framework, there has been developed various approaches or theories in the discipline, using different variables. World system approaches are among those addressing political, economic and social processes on macro scale, and explaining these processes in a holistic sense. World system approaches evaluate these processes on world scale, and utilized on other fields such as sociology, history, economy and philosophy. The Long Cycles Theory of George Modelski which is one of the world system approaches addresses the leadership and transformations in world politics. Modelski claims that a nation-state becomes leader in global political system, and this process continues on cyclical rhythms. Each long cycle brings about a new leader. However, Modelski’s approach is not only aiming to explain leadership in world politics but also to model development of global political system. Thus, this attempt distinguishes the long cycle theory from traditional system models in international relations.