POLI 244 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Dangerous Power, Hegemony

• School: McGill University
• Department: Political Science
• Course: POLI 244
• Professor: Fernando Nunez- Mietz

Document Summary

Or a systemic tendency towards equilibrium (theory explain his idea) States seek security, which is inherently tough in anarchy. Balanced system: power differential between great powers leads to security, power gap minimization. Worked well in 19th century europe with the uk serving as an offshore balancer. If somebody became too powerful they would challenge the uk"s supremacy. If all states sought this wars would be rarer; tough to use self restraint because others will not usually do so. Even they believe that achieving hegemony brings about peace. Unbalanced distribution where each state seeks the upper hand. Power-gap maximizes who seek their own power"s maximization. Offensive realists believe all nations think this way. War often brings things back into balance for these theorists. Internal: building up your own military in reaction to growing power of other states. Economy is not necessarily a predictor/form of internal balancing.