This extraordinary book presents a refreshing and innovative overview of the changes to the global system over the last 5000 years. Featuring renowned contributors - each specialists in their field - this is the only volume to offer so co-ordinated a study of continuity and change in the global social, economic and political system. Key areas covered include:

* International Political Economy - Robert A. Denemark

* Archaeology - Jonathan Freidman

* Economic development - Andre Gunder Frank

* History - George Modelski

* Sociology - Christopher Chase-Dunn