Is The Contemporary International System Multipolar?

A Primer on International Affairs - presentation Session 2

Class: A Primer on International Affairs (DAFF2070A) Professor: COMOLET Emmanuel Student: Filip Stankovic

1

2Plan:

1. Introduction - terms? history of the topic?

2. Development - theoretical approaches? current situation?

3. Conclusion

What does this question means?

A - contemporary B - international system C - [multy] polarity

Is there many centres of power in present world or we live in world dominated by one power / [universal] civilisation?

Is present multipolarity about decline of the USA in its power or other countries rose so they can be countable on international scene?

Great powerS? It is a country which excels in size of population and territory, resources endowment, economic capability, military strength, political stability and competence - According to Waltz

3

4Distribution of power a) unipolarb) bipolarc) multipolar systems

Pre-WW2 system - [genuine] Westphalian system (Kissinger)

Aftermath of WW2 - bipolar international system

End of the Cold war - unipolar international system

5Is unipolarity in decline?

Huntington

China: regional security + regional arms race

India: fastest growing economy of the world (7.5% annually - The World Bank) + in 2028 most

populous country in the world

European Union: soft power

Russia

Several important regional powers/factors - Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, DPRK, Japan

http://www.sipri.org/yearbook/2014/04

http://www.sipri.org/yearbook/2014/04

http://goo.gl/QT2z0w

Bibliography:

1. Waltz, Kenneth N. Theory of International Politics. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley Pub., 1979. Print.

2. Murray, Donette, and David Brown. Multipolarity in the 21st Century: A New World Order. Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, 2012. Print.

3. KUMAR SINGH, RAJESH, and MANOJ KUMAR. "Methodology Change Sees Indian Economy Grow Faster than China's." | Reuters. Reuters, 09 Feb. 2015. Web. 09 Feb. 2015. .

4. Perlo-Freeman, Sam. "Mar. 2014: Deciphering China's Latest Defence Budget Figures." Www.sipri.org. SIPRI, n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2015. .

5. PTI. "India to Become World's Most Populous Nation around 2028: UN - The Times of India." The Times of India. The Times of India, 14 Jan. 2013. Web. 09 Feb. 2015. .

6. SIPRI web site: http://www.sipri.org/