Int Rel Theo War

64 International Relations Theory of War

Table 2.5

The International Relations Theory of War

A. Basic assumptions of the theory:

1. The theory’s attitude to the international system:
   The international system is very important


2. The theory’s attitude to the players:
   The most important players acting in the system are the polar
   powers
   B. The transhistorical order principles:
   A. The anarchy principle, in the sense of the absence of a common
   regime, leads the system to spur the players, primarily the polar
   powers constituting it, to tend always to expansion or formation
   of a hegemony for them to head
   B. The homeostasis principle, in the sense of a property of the system
   that resists change, leads the system to dictate to players, primarily
   to the polar powers constituting it, to tend always to stagnation
   and preserve the system in its existing state
   C. The causal logic of the theory:
   The independent variable, the polarity of the system à international
   outcomes—systemic and intrasystemic

Multipolar Systems Bipolar Systems Unipolar Systems

Sole Hyperpower:

• 1992–2016—24
  years

Two Superpowers:

• 1816–1848—33
  years


• 1871–1909—39
  years


• 1946–1991—46
  years

Three or more Great

Powers:

• 1849–1870—22
  years


• 1910–1945—36
  years

The
independent
variable, or
polarity of
the system

Medium stability.

Lies between the

other two systems

The system will allow

the sole hyperpower

constituting it to

wage war against

countries that

will challenge its

absolute supremacy

in the system

High stability.

Few wars

The system

will reduce the

number of wars

involving the

two superpowers

constituting it

Low stability.

Many wars

The system will

increase the number

of wars involving

the great powers

constituting it

The
systemic
dependent
variable, or
stability of
the system

(continued)