Politically, this situation will be one of great confusion, since the standard political analyses we have developed to understand the modern world system will seem not to apply or will seem to be outdated. This will not really be true. But these analyses will apply primarily to the ongoing processes of the existing world system and not to the reality of a transition. This is why it is so important to be clear on the distinction between the two and on the ways in which this double reality will play itself out.