This article discusses some relevant aspects of Giovanni Arrighi's contribution to the study of world politics and economy. Its objectives are double. First, it aims to demonstrate the explanatory potential of Arrighi's approach, especially when dealing with world systemic phenomena; and second, to show the importance of his model of analysis to subsidize studies on political and economic conjunctures.
cycles of accumulation; world hegemonies; systemic crises; economic and political conjunctures