PSCI 3107 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Great Power, Power Transition Theory, Hegemonic Stability Theory

• School: Carleton University
• Department: Political Science
• Course: PSCI 3107
• Professor: Brian Schmidt

Document Summary

Theory of hegemonic war: uneven growth of power among states is the driving force of international relations, fundamental changes in the international system are the basic determinants of war. Incompatibility between crucial elements of the existing system and the changing distribution of power among states within the system: horizontal not vertical. Like a disease, it follows a discernible and recurrent course: phase one stable, hierarchical ordering, phase two rise and fall of powers dynamic, law of uneven growth rates; system is out of sync. Struggle between these states leads to bipolarization of the system, to inevitable crisis, to eventual hegemonic war: phase three resolution of war in favor of one side, and new hierarchical distribution of power. Copeland- differential power theory declining state causes major war. Goal of theory: to build a theory with greater explanatory and predictive power by synthesizing strengths of different realist theories: classical, structural, hegemonic.