Resisting Capitalist Reproduction In The Liminal State

Authors

  • Glen Kuecker Depauw University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/jwsr.2026.1410

Keywords:

Capitalism, Liminal State, Resistance, Soft Collapse, 2030 Agenda, Extractivism

Abstract

World-systems theory is known for innovative approaches to understanding resistance to forms of oppression, especially as it pertains to anti-capitalist and environmental social movements. This article invites world-systems theorists to rethink resistance by recognizing that the modern world-system is in a soft collapse driven liminal state of transition to a new world-system. The provocation challenges conventional world-system understandings of resistance by inquiring if capitalism perishes or reproduces in the liminal state. The article finds the latter to be valid due to profit-making potential of resolving the perfect storm of crises. It argues capitalist reproduction is anchored within the 2030 Agenda, which is a plan generated by technocrats for weathering the perfect storm of crises. The article argues the 2030 Agenda serves as capitalism’s accumulation mechanism through the liminal state transition. The agenda, however, calls for decarbonization, which requires a drastic increase in resource extraction that portends the end of capitalism through ecocide. To realize a just transition, this article advocates for the pluriverse proposition as a key to liminal state resistance, a position that places strategic primacy on defending other knowledges against the monoculture of the 2030 Agenda. The article proposes leveraging the instability, disruption, and confusion of the liminal state to undermine the legitimacy of technocratic elites through counter power campaigns informed by assemblage theory and classical counter-insurgency strategy. The article contributes to world-system theory by bringing the liminal state concept into our understandings of the future world-system.

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Published

2026-04-04

How to Cite

Kuecker, G. (2026). Resisting Capitalist Reproduction In The Liminal State. Journal of World-Systems Research, 32(1), 44–70. https://doi.org/10.5195/jwsr.2026.1410

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