Balanced Bipolarity, Balanced Multipolarity Unbalanced...

Balanced Bipolarity, Balanced Multipolarity amp; Unbalanced Multipolarity Introduction I agree with the quote that â€Å"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 â€Å"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†¦show more content†¦There were also minor powers involved but all in all the power distribution during the war was one of a balanced multipolarity. Balanced multipolarity is more dangerous than that of a bipolar distribution but also lethal than unbalanced multipolarity. Balanced multipolarity is somewhat b etter than unbalanced multipolarity because in a balanced situation, the defeat of any great power will give the other power advantage to take over control. While in an unbalanced multipolarity, the scenario could go different ways due to different power-dyads. Unbalanced Multipolarity (Second World War) Mearsheimer states that war is more likely in multipolarity that bipolarity for 3 reasons. Potential conflict dyads in a system, the imbalance of power which eventually favours the great powers which makes deterrence more difficult and war more likely and the potential for miscalculation is also high in this system. Mearsheimer defined unbalanced multipolarity as a situation that involved three or more super powers in which the power between them is unbalanced. This is the worst case scenario as it usually leads to war. A good example for unbalanced multipolarity could be the Second World War. Following Mearshiemer’s explanation war broke out in this case because of potential conflict dyads and mainly imbalance of power betweenShow MoreRelatedThe Realist Way Of Looking At The International System Essay1622 Words   |  7 PagesThe world can be classified as being unipolar, bipolar, or multipolar. A multipolar world can further be c lassified as either balanced or unbalanced. A great power war is most likely in periods of unbalanced multipolarity â€Å"because potential hegemons are likely to get into wars with all the other great powers in the system† (Mearsheimer 2001). An example of an unbalanced multipolar world would be at the brink of World War I, in which Austria-Hungary, the Great Britain, France, Germany and RussiaRead MoreWar in the Nuclear Era2489 Words   |  10 Pagessystem’s payoff structure requiring certain strategic behaviour. Firstly, the concept of mutual assured destruction has increased the costs of war and shifted the rational utility-maximizing states’ policy from winning to avoiding wars. Second, today’s ‘balanced multi polarity’, stabilized by nuclear technology, makes international relations more secure and thus less prone to wars between states now than in the past. Thirdly, the defensive nature of nuclear second strike capability prevents sta tes from engaging