Giovanni Arrighi

About the Author

Giovanni Arrighi (1937–2009) was an Italian historian and sociologist renowned for his pioneering contributions to world-systems theory and the analysis of global capitalism's historical dynamics. Educated at the University of Milan, he held academic positions at various institutions, including Johns Hopkins University, where he spent much of his career. Arrighi's work meticulously examined the cycles of accumulation, hegemony, and geopolitical shifts, challenging Eurocentric narratives and emphasizing the role of peripheral economies in shaping the modern world. His seminal book, The Geometry of Imperialism: The Limits of Hobson's Paradigm, critically dissects imperialist paradigms through a structural lens, offering profound insights into the spatial and economic dimensions of empire. Throughout his prolific career, Arrighi influenced generations of scholars with his rigorous, interdisciplinary approach, blending historical materialism with comparative global perspectives to illuminate the longue durée of capitalist development.