Polarity In International Politics

1291 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Short note on state sovereignty and globalisation

Morgenthau said that “International politics, like all politics, is a struggle for power.” The world of global politics is dynamic where every action results in a complex outcome. International relations are affected by sovereign states, militias, terrorists, strategic alliances and global organizations. However, there is uncertainty in the world due to natural disasters, environmental changes, economic instability and geographic, as well as demographic changes. In order to process the intricate global dynamics, power is distributed through the system of polarity. Polarity is the state of having opposite or contradictory opinions or ideas. Three types of polar systems exist: unipolar, bipolar and multipolar. Unipolarity describes the command of one state on “an especially large share of the resources or capabilities it can use to achieve …show more content…

A unipolar state has a high degree of clarity and predictability due to the presence of the hegemon. However, the system possesses low stability due to the frequent uproars and revolts against the hegemon. The preponderance of Sparta in Greece after the Peloponnesian War was indicative of a unipolar system. Bipolarity refers to a system wherein the hegemon and a challenger possess the majority of economic, military and cultural power. In such a system, conflicts ensue between the hegemon and the challenger and there’s a high cost of war as the two states continue to outbid each other. However, a stalemate between the two powers usually results in a high level of stability. The dispute between the United

Show More
Related

  • Peloponnesian War

    2670 Words  | 6 Pages

    Dating back to 449 B.C., Sparta and Athens always had an alliance, but as time grew that balance slowly began to fall as one felt threatened by another. Before any sight of unsteadiness the Spartans and Athenians had a bound partnership. Beginning after their domination of the Persian war, the two states slowly became aware of one another’s growing power. More time went by, and the Spartans began to grow conscious of the other states, feeling wary and paranoid around them (Fox, 170). No state was particularly to blame for the strain on their peace treaty, nor for the war, it came as the two states developed. Eventually the two states had clashed enough and declared war. Although the Spartans gave the Athenians a chance to back down and temporarily stall war, the two states would never be equal, their allies resented one another far too much. The growing urge for power was bound to take over sooner or later. Finally, after 7 years of uneasy tension, Sparta could wait no longer and declared war against Athens (Fox, 167). Although the Athenians and Spartans lived together in peace for so long, they existed in a fragile balance that was bound to eventually lead to war.

    Read More

  • Political Polarization in the United State

    1401 Words  | 3 Pages

    The United States of America has engaged in the battle known as political polarization since before its foundation in 1776. From the uprising against the powerful British nation to the political issues of today, Americans continue to debate about proper ideology and attempt to choose a side that closely aligns with their personal beliefs. From decade to decade, Americans struggle to determine a proper course of action regarding the country as a whole and will often become divided on important issues. Conflicts between supporters of slavery and abolitionists, between agriculturalists and industrialists, and between industrial workers and capitalists have fueled the divide. At the Congressional level there tends to be a more prevalent display of polarization and is often the blame of Congress’ inefficiency. James Madison intentionally designed Congress to be inefficient by instating a bicameral legislation. Ambition would counter ambition and prevent majority tyranny. George Washington advised against political parties that would contribute to polarization and misrepresentation in his Farewell Address of 1796. Washington warns, “One of the expedients of party to acquire influence within particular districts is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts.” Today, the struggle to increase power between political parties results in techniques to gain even the smallest marginal gains. To truly understand political polarization, we must examine data collected through a variety of means, the effects of rapidly changing technology, and observe what techniques are used to create such a polarized political system.

    Read More

  • Bipartisanship

    950 Words  | 2 Pages

    Recently, the debate of whether bipartisanship has completely left this country incapacitated due to the lack of cooperation between Senators and House members with conflicting opinions has grown especially due to the Clinton Impeachment Debates. Many individuals feel that the only reason William Jefferson Clinton was impeached in the House was due to the fact that the majority of the House is republicans. This research proposal will attempt to define if the concept of bipartisanship does exist. If it does exist, what are the contributing factors to it (convincing individuals, convincing corporations, money, the Senators or House member’s families)? These can be considered to be the independent variables. Presently, the Internet consists of numerous, almost uncountable, sources on bipartisanship. Many magazines and newspapers are major contributors to this subject as well. The amount of scandal contributing to this particular issue creates a level of curiosity that intrigues all aspects of this society. When the public seems to want press on a particular issue, they seem to get it.

    Read More

  • Political Analysis

    1494 Words  | 3 Pages

    Political Analysis Political analysis is the method by which the judgement upon any political event, in any part of the world, is performed. It is based on the perception of the political reality of the region or the country in question and the perception of the relationship of this political reality with international politics. In order to perceive the international situation and international politics, it is imperative to have general outlines that explain the political reality of every state and the relationships of these states with the other states of the world, especially the major powers that influence the progress of events in the world. Since the Islamic Ummah is commanded to carry the Islamic Da'wah to all people, it is therefore obligatory upon the Muslims to be in touch with the world with awareness of its conditions and perception of its problems. The Muslims must acquaint themselves with what motivates the states and the peoples and pursue the political actions that occur in the world.

    Read More

  • The Political Spectrum

    995 Words  | 2 Pages

    - It takes the traditions of that time and only changes them gradually and not very

    Read More

  • William Wohlforth's Article: The Stability Of A Unipolar World

    721 Words  | 2 Pages

    Unipolarity is largely accepted by scholars as the least stable of systems, with some scholars even questioning whether unipolarity can realistically exist. Wohlforth contests this position on unipolarity in his article, “The Stability of a Unipolar World,” and presents his reasons for why unipolarity has to be stable. The United States is used as the unipolarity example, and is described to have all the qualities a unipolar system must have, including the durability of a decade at the time Wohlforth’s article was published.

    Read More

  • The cold war

    2042 Words  | 5 Pages

    With the shock of two destructive world wars and then the creation of the United Nations, whose aim is to preserve peace, it is unconceivable for these two nations to fight directly in order to promote their own ideology. But the US and the USSR end up to be in competition in numerous ways, particularly in technological and industrial fields. In the same time they start to spread their influence over their former allies. This phenomenon have led to the creation of a bipolar world, divided in two powerful blocs surrounded by buffer zones, and to the beginning of what we call the Cold War because of the absence of direct conflicts between the two nations.

    Read More

  • Neo-Realism and Liberalism: Comparing These Two Different Frameworks Used in International Relations

    1232 Words  | 3 Pages

    In order for countries to cohesively overcome international barriers, frameworks of ideal political standards must be established. Two of these frameworks constantly discussed in international relations are the theories of Neo-realism and Liberalism; two theories with their own outlook at the way politicians should govern their country as well as how they should deal with others. Neo-realism lies on the structural level, emphasizing on anarchy and the balance of power as a dominant factor in order to maintain hierarchy in international affairs. In contrast, Liberalism's beliefs are more permissive, focusing on the establishments of international organizations, democracy, and trade as links to strengthen the chain of peace amongst countries. Liberalism provides a theory that predominantly explains how states can collaborate in order to promote global peace; however, as wars have been analyzed, for example World War II, the causes of them are better explained by Neo-realist beliefs on the balance of power and states acting as unitary actors. Thus, looking out for their own self interest and security.

    Read More

  • Human Nature in International Relations

    602 Words  | 2 Pages

    Human nature is that quality that sets us apart from other living things; it is the definition of what we are.

    Read More

  • International Relations

    2631 Words  | 6 Pages

    Morgenthau goes onto his third method of analysis which is reviewing a state’s usable and unusable power. The most popular example of this is the possession of nuclear weaponry. Nuclear capabilities and that threat of their use is a form of useable power for states like the US and Russia but not for states with underdeveloped nu...

    Read More

  • The Realist Approach to International Relations

    982 Words  | 2 Pages

    The reason that the states seek survival is because if the states are not exist, they can’t seek any other interests. Waltz introduces that bipolar systems provide a be...

    Read More

  • The Threat of China

    784 Words  | 2 Pages

    With the end of the Cold War emerged two superpowers: The United States and the Soviet Union. The international system then was considered bipolar, a system where power is distributed in which two states have the majority of military, economic, and cultural influence both internationally and regionally. In this case, spheres of influence developed, meaning Western and democratic states fell under the influence of U.S. while most communist states were under the influence of the Soviet Union. Today, the international system is no longer bipolar, since only one superpower can exist, and indisputably that nation is the United States. However China is encroaching on this title with their rapid growth educationally, economically, and militaristically.

    Read More

  • The Impact of Liberalism on International Relations

    2018 Words  | 5 Pages

    Liberalism has contributed to the understanding of International Relations as an academic discipline and through organizations such as the United Nations, the European Union, the League of Arab States, and others in what many consider to be a very influential manner.

    Read More

  • Connection is Key: International Relations Intertwined

    780 Words  | 2 Pages

    influence to increase the capabilities of their state. This quick rise in power is an example of a

    Read More

  • World Politics: American Hegemony

    2936 Words  | 6 Pages

    In this paper, I will argue that the current system is hegemonial. My explanation to hegemony will then be centered on the sources of the United States as a hegemonial power. Furthermore, I will state the different primary implications associated with the rise of China and what the Roman Empire offers for understanding the United Sta...

    Read More

More about Polarity In International Politics

Open Document