Global Commodity Chains & World Income Inequalities: The Missing Link of Inequality and the ?Upgrading? Paradox

Authors

  • Benjamin D. Brewer James Madison University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/jwsr.2011.423

Abstract

This article links key findings from two major research literatures within contemporary development and globalization studies: global commodity/value chains, and world income inequalities. Forging this missing link exposes what I call the ?upgrading paradox? within commodity and value chain analysis. The paradox hinges on the disconnect between the global commodity/value chain literature?s focus on the potential for firms and nations to ?upgrade? their position within chains and the roots of the global commodity chain construct in world-systems analysis, a theoretical framework that rejects the potential for widespread and generalizable developmental progress. Findings from the world income inequalities literature do indeed confirm the paradoxical nature of the upgrading discourse, so I conclude by discussing two potential paths for a ?post-paradox? commodity chain analysis.

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Published

2011-08-26

How to Cite

Brewer, B. D. (2011). Global Commodity Chains & World Income Inequalities: The Missing Link of Inequality and the ?Upgrading? Paradox. Journal of World-Systems Research, 17(2), 308–327. https://doi.org/10.5195/jwsr.2011.423

Issue

Volume 17, Issue 2, 2011

Section

General Section

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