POL 3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Hegemony, Afrobarometer, Montevideo Convention
Document Summary
System: an assembly of units (states united by some form of regular interaction. Relationship between states (e. g. distribution of power) Anarchy -> self help -> need power (material capabilities/ability to conquer) Polarity of the system key: multipolar: distribution of the power to conquer is concentrated in more than 2 states, stable if state follow rules of shifting alliances: Formed for a specific purpose (to balance: are fluid and of short duration. Shift according to advantage rather than ideology: bipolar: distribution of power to conquer is concentrated in two states or coalitions, stable if alliances: Based on permanent interest (ideology/friendship: unipolar: power to conquer all other states resides within single state, stable if hegemon is willing and able to act to preserve status quo. Changes in distribution of power change the system. Sources of changes in distribution of power: E. g. decline of britain and france and rise of us and ussr after wwii.
