POLS 396 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Hegemony, Path Dependence, Meritocracy
14 Sep 2013
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Document Summary
Pols396 week2 readings part 2 (testing-balance of power theory in history) Concept has core meaning which is that hegemonies do not form in multistate systems because perceived threats of hegemony over the system generate balancing behavior by other leading states in the system. What is missing from the balance of power scholarship is analysis of the theory in relation to other international systems other than modern europe and its global successor. Sustained hegemonies routinely form, and balancing is relatively insignificant in explaining the emergence of non hegemonic outcomes. Found that multistate systems vary between the extremes of balance and empire. 1) efforts to form effective balancing alliances will frequently fail due to collective action problems. 2) political obstacles inside states will frequently lead to failures to emulate power generating innovations by potential hegemons. 3) uncertainty about which power poses the greatest threat of hegemony will frequently impede or prevent efforts to balance.
