Balanced Bipolarity, Balanced Multipolarity & Unbalanced Multipolarity
Balanced Bipolarity, Balanced Multipolarity & Unbalanced Multipolarity
Introduction
I agree with the quote that “Wars between states can be explained by the distribution of power and capabilities in the international system.” Power distribution among all the great powers plays an important role for the stability and economy of the state. I believe that war determines who will govern the international system, and whose interests will be primarily served by the new international order. Mearsheimer’s short article “The cause of great power war” explains the occurrence of major power wars. According to Mearsheimer, power gives rise to three kinds of systems which are known as Bipolarity, Unbalanced Multipolarity, and Balanced Multipolarity. I believe these systems are determining factors of the outbreak of war, and the distinction between balanced and unbalanced multipolar systems is important in comprehending the history of great power war.
Balanced Bipolarity (Cold War) Bipolarity is when two potential super powers have equal capability of powers. A good example for balanced bipolarity is the Cold War. Distribution of power after the Second World War was nearly equal between the United States and the Soviet Union. The fear of nuclear weapons resulted in conflict between the two nations; the search for security by Russia triggered insecurity in the US and vice versa. The Cuban Missile Crisis was not only the closest the United States and Soviet Union came to an armed conflict during The Cold War, but, the closest the world has come to a nuclear war as well. The Cuban president Fidel Castro agreed with Khrushchev's (president of Russia) plan to place missiles on the island, as a springboard to attack USA. The crisis started when photographs disclosed soviet missiles under construction in Cuba. Kennedy decided to set a naval quarantine around Cuba as he wanted to avert the arrival of more Soviet adversary weapons on the island. On
Introduction
I agree with the quote that “Wars between states can be explained by the distribution of power and capabilities in the international system.” Power distribution among all the great powers plays an important role for the stability and economy of the state. I believe that war determines who will govern the international system, and whose interests will be primarily served by the new international order. Mearsheimer’s short article “The cause of great power war” explains the occurrence of major power wars. According to Mearsheimer, power gives rise to three kinds of systems which are known as Bipolarity, Unbalanced Multipolarity, and Balanced Multipolarity. I believe these systems are determining factors of the outbreak of war, and the distinction between balanced and unbalanced multipolar systems is important in comprehending the history of great power war.
Balanced Bipolarity (Cold War) Bipolarity is when two potential super powers have equal capability of powers. A good example for balanced bipolarity is the Cold War. Distribution of power after the Second World War was nearly equal between the United States and the Soviet Union. The fear of nuclear weapons resulted in conflict between the two nations; the search for security by Russia triggered insecurity in the US and vice versa. The Cuban Missile Crisis was not only the closest the United States and Soviet Union came to an armed conflict during The Cold War, but, the closest the world has come to a nuclear war as well. The Cuban president Fidel Castro agreed with Khrushchev's (president of Russia) plan to place missiles on the island, as a springboard to attack USA. The crisis started when photographs disclosed soviet missiles under construction in Cuba. Kennedy decided to set a naval quarantine around Cuba as he wanted to avert the arrival of more Soviet adversary weapons on the island. On
Bibliography: Mersheimer (2001) “The Cause Of great Power War”,