POLSCI 160 Chapter Notes - Chapter 14: Power Transition Theory, Tripolar
10 Oct 2016
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Document Summary
States maximize security to survive and exist. Balances of power rather than a distribution of power. Types of systems in balance of power. Bipolar system: 2 poles of power, minor powers line up with one or the other (cold war) Tripolar system: 3 poles of power (usa, ussr, china at end of cold. Multipolar system: more than 2 major powers. Unipolar system: dominance of one power (post cold war) Balance of power theory: countries join together against concentrations of power. External balancing: using alliances to protect oneself. Internal balancing: building up military power to protect oneself. Assume that states share the same perceptions of threats. Power transition theory: industrialization drives long term shifts in power, where they compete for power. System is hierarchically organized and led by a dominant state that establishes the rules of the game to advance its own interests. The challenger is the state that tries to catch up to the industrialization of the dominant power.
