GOV 120 Lecture 5: IR 4
Realism and Security
• Realists think the most important problem in global politics is the
• Security Dilemma- when a state’s attempt to increase its own security, simultaneously
decreases the security of other states
Power as a Relationship and the Balance of Power
• Balance of Power theory- the idea that national security maybe made more secure when no one
state has more power than the rest
• Balancing- when a great power aligns with other states, in order to stop any other great power
from dominating the system (alliances tend to shift constantly)
• Bandwagoning-when a series of weak states align with a great power (alliances are longer lasting)
Types of Balance of Power
• 3 likely options for balance of power distributions:
• Multipolar system- when a handful of great powers exist (5-6) in the international system
o Each is oe o less o eual tes they ca eually theate each othe’s suvival
o Balancing tends to happen
• Bipolar system- when two great states dominate world politics
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