POLI 244 Lecture 8: poli 244 sept 28 notes
4 Dec 2016
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Document Summary
Balance of power: describes a situation in which power is distributed equally, balance-of-power theory. Mechanisms of balance of power: states seek security, balanced distribution of power. Hard for countries to exercise self-restraint, especially because other (cid:272)ountries (cid:449)on"t. Or countries will take advantage of self-restraint: unbalanced distribution of power (tilted in their favor) In state"s fa(cid:448)or, not neigh(cid:271)ors: think that states are power gap maximizers, more power = more security. Acquire certain amount of power and then stop. Once threshold is surpassed (global hegemony), bop theory no longer works. Why do systems tend to a bop: 2 types of balancing strategies. Alliances: alliances occur when there is a presence of a common threat, security alliances tend to be short lived. Alliance may not be held up in war: alliances increase overall influence. Defensive: about how you allocate your resources in response to neighbors actions.
