Table 2.2The Constraints Dictating the Territorial Results of Wars in Which Polar Powers Are Involved
MultipolarityBipolarityUnipolarityCentral warsinvolving all thepolar powers constituting the systemMultipolar systems will preventthe territorialexpansion of the major powers at the end of central warsIn bipolar systems a major war will be identical to a central war as both involve all the polar powers constituting the systemCentral or major wars do not exist in unipolar systems, because in systems of this type just one polar power acts—the sole hyperpowerMajor warsinvolving morethan one polar power out of those constituting the system but not all of themMultipolar systems willallowthe territorial expansion of the major powers at the end of major warsThe outbreak of a central or major war in bipolar systems willcausethe collapse of the existing bipolar system and the formation of a new multipolar or unipolar system in its placeMinor warsin which a singlepolar power fights against a country or countries that are not polar powers in the systemMultipolar systems willallowthe territorial expansion of the major powers at the end of minor warsBipolar systems willpreventthe twosuperpowers from expanding or contracting territorially at the end of minor wars; they willdictatethepreservation of the status quo that prevailed before the warUnipolar systems will dictateto the hyperpower toexpand territorially at the end of minor wars