# American Sociological Association Section on Political Economy of the World-System

> organisation involved in scholarly research

**Wikidata**: [Q74545067](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q74545067)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/american-sociological-association-section-on-political-economy-of-the-world-system

## Summary
The American Sociological Association Section on Political Economy of the World-System is a scholarly organization based in the United States dedicated to academic research. It is classified as a research institute, defined as an entity whose primary purpose is to conduct systematic investigation to generate new knowledge.

## Key Facts
- **Country**: United States
- **Classification**: Instance of a research institute
- **Primary Activity**: Organisation involved in scholarly research
- **Source Context**: Associated with the *Journal of World-Systems Research* regarding its classification
- **Organizational Type**: Distinct from a think tank or scientific society; focused on fundamental inquiry rather than policy influence

## FAQs
### Q: What type of organization is the American Sociological Association Section on Political Economy of the World-System?
A: It is classified as a research institute, which is an organization dedicated specifically to conducting research rather than teaching or commercial activities.

### Q: How does this entity differ from a think tank?
A: While think tanks focus on policy-oriented research to influence government decisions, this organization, as a research institute, focuses on fundamental scholarly inquiry.

### Q: Where is the organization located?
A: The organization is based in the United States.

## Why It Matters
This entity represents a critical infrastructure component within the field of sociology, specifically addressing the political economy of the world-system. By operating as a dedicated research institute, it provides a focused environment for scholars to pursue long-term, complex scientific inquiry free from the teaching obligations typical of universities or the commercial pressures of corporate labs. It contributes to the advancement of human knowledge by generating new data and theories regarding global political and economic structures, facilitated through rigorous peer-reviewed processes such as those found in the *Journal of World-Systems Research*.

## Notable For
- **Dedicated Research Focus**: Exists specifically to generate new knowledge through systematic investigation, distinguishing it from hybrid organizations.
- **Scholarly Orientation**: Prioritizes fundamental academic inquiry over the policy-focused output characteristic of think tanks.
- **Global Context**: Operates within the United States but engages with the "World-System," implying a scope that extends beyond national borders.

## Body
### Organizational Overview
The American Sociological Association Section on Political Economy of the World-System functions as a specialized entity within the United States. Its core designation is that of a research institute, a classification confirmed by academic sources including the *Journal of World-Systems Research*. This designation implies a structural commitment to scholarly research as its primary output.

### Classification and Operational Nature
As an instance of a research institute, the organization is defined by its exclusive focus on conducting research. Unlike universities, which divide their mission between teaching and research, this entity concentrates resources on investigation. It is operationally distinct from scientific societies or learned societies, which primarily serve as membership organizations for professionals; instead, this organization functions as a unit dedicated to hands-on inquiry.

### Distinctions from Similar Entities
The organization's classification provides specific distinctions from other research-adjacent bodies:
- **versus Think Tanks**: While think tanks conduct research to influence public policy, this research institute engages in fundamental inquiry across its specific discipline.
- **versus Universities**: The entity is free from the obligation to grant degrees or provide undergraduate education, allowing for undivided attention to research.

### Context in Knowledge Systems
In the context of library and knowledge organization, the classification of "research institute" utilized by this entity is mapped to `schema.org/ResearchOrganization` and identified by the Library of Congress (authority ID sh8517909-6). It falls under the Dewey Decimal Classification 001.406. This formal recognition underscores the organization's role in the global landscape of knowledge-producing institutions.

## References

1. [Directory of Open Access Journals](http://jwsr.pitt.edu/ojs/index.php/jwsr/about/editorialPolicies#peerReviewProcess)