David Wilkinson (political scientist)

Quick Facts: Who was David Wilkinson (political scientist)?

Subject:

David Wilkinson (political scientist)

Known for:

Political scientist known for redefining civilization through network theory and world-systems analysis.

Born:

1939

Century / Era:

1939s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

David Ormond Wilkinson (born 1939) is a professor of political science at the Department of Political Science of the University of California, Los Angeles. After graduating from Harvard College with a B.A. degree in 1960, Wilkinson was admitted to Columbia University, and received his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in 1962 and 1965.

Career & Major Achievements

Wilkinson joined the faculty of the UCLA Department of Political Science as an assistant professor in 1964 and became a professor in 1975. He also serves as an editor for the Comparative Civilizations Review and the Journal of World-Systems Research.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Wilkinson redefines civilization on connectedness criterion, not cultural criterion, as "a city-state, cities-state, or tightly linked politico-military network of such states that are not a part of a larger such network", and considers civilizations as world-systems.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1939: Birth of David Wilkinson (political scientist) — Political scientist known for redefining civilization through network theory and world-systems analysis.
2. 1960: 1960 Milestone — degree in 1960, Wilkinson was admitted to Columbia University, and received his M.
3. 1964: 1964 Milestone — Wilkinson joined the faculty of the UCLA Department of Political Science as an assistant professor in 1964 and became a professor in 1975.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: David Wilkinson (political scientist)

True or False: “The concept of 'Central Civilization' suggests that all global political structures are inherently interconnected through trade and military networks, making the idea of isolated, purely cultural civilizations obsolete.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While Wilkinson strongly advocates for network theory, he does not claim that the concept of isolated, purely cultural civilizations is entirely obsolete; rather, he argues that network criteria must be added to the existing cultural understanding.

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• Alexander Yegorov (general) — Historical peer (Died in 1939) (1939): Soviet military leader and one of the original Marshals of the Soviet Union.
• Ali Farka Touré — Historical peer (Born in 1939) (1939): Pioneering Malian musician blending desert traditions with African-American blues.
• Abdel Fattah al-Burhan — Historical peer (Born in 1960) (1960): Sudanese military officer and leader who assumed control of Sudan in 2019.
• Adam Clayton — Historical peer (Born in 1960) (1960): Irish-English bassist and founding member of the globally renowned rock band U2.
• A. K. Fazlul Huq — Historical peer (Died in 1962) (1962): Pakistani statesman and jurist, known as Sher-e-Bangla, a founding father of Pakistan.
• Abdullah II of Jordan — Historical peer (Born in 1962) (1962): King of Jordan, a Hashemite monarch who assumed the throne in 1999.
• Aamir Khan — Historical peer (Born in 1965) (1965): Iconic Indian actor and filmmaker, known as "Mr. Perfectionist" in Hindi cinema.
• 1939 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1939

Frequently Asked Questions about David Wilkinson (political scientist)