The Emerging Structure of International Politics

Abstract

During the Cold War, the bipolar structure of international system and the nuclear weaponry available to some states combined to perpetuate a troubled peace. As the bipolar era draws to a close, one has to question the likely structural changes in prospect. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, bipolarity endures, albeit in an altered state, because Russia still takes care of itself and no great powers have emerged yet. With the waning of Russian power, the United States is no longer held in check by any other country. Balance of power theory leads one to assume that other powers, alone or in concert, will bring American power into balance. Considering the likely changes in the structure of international system, one can presuppose that three political units may rise to great-power rank: Germany or a West European state, Japan and China. Despite all the progress achieved by these countries, for some years to come, the United States will be the leading country economically as well as militarily.

Keywords

Neorealism, bipolarity, multipolarity, balance of power, nuclear weapons

Citation

Waltz, Kenneth, “The Emerging Structure of International Politics”, International Relations, Volume 5, Issue 17 (Spring 2008), p. 3-44.

Affiliations

• Kenneth Waltz, N/A