Migration as a Prelude to Hegemony

An Integrated Comparison of Migration processes in the Early Modern Dutch State and the United States

Authors

  • Jimmy Engren Örebro University
  • Lars Hansson

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/jwsr.2026.1308

Keywords:

hegemony, world system, migration, labor, World-Systems analysis, hegemonic transitions, integrated comparison

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to discuss the role of migration processes to changes in the world-system. We highlight the significance of these processes and their impact through a comparative historical perspective. By using an approach based on an integrated comparison, two cases are compared: the rise of the early modern Dutch state to hegemony and the corresponding rise to hegemony by the United States in the twentieth century. In presenting secondary sources on the two cases, we argue that neither expansion had been possible without a significant inflow of labor and skills carried by migrants. There seems to be a strong correlation between migration and changes in the world-system in general and the rise to hegemonic status in particular. By analyzing long-term processes like migration and its role in energizing and stimulating changes in the world-system, we argue, in line with the new economics of migration, that previous economic explanations to the rise of hegemony can be qualified. We also argue that the use of integrated comparison in the way we tentatively do in this paper can be fruitful in better understanding historical processes and their impact on power relations and economic relations in the world-system.

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Published

2026-04-04

How to Cite

Engren, J., & Hansson, L. (2026). Migration as a Prelude to Hegemony: An Integrated Comparison of Migration processes in the Early Modern Dutch State and the United States. Journal of World-Systems Research, 32(1), 98–119. https://doi.org/10.5195/jwsr.2026.1308

Issue

Vol. 32 No. 1 (2026): Spring 2026

Section

Research Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Jimmy Engren, Lars Hansson

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