The Impact of Hegemonic Stability in International Peace Assignment 2022
Added on 2022-10-11
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HEGEMONIC STABILITY 1
The Impact of Hegemonic Stability in International Peace
Name of institution
Student’s name
Supervisor;
The Impact of Hegemonic Stability in International Peace
Name of institution
Student’s name
Supervisor;
HEGEMONIC STABILITY 2
Hegemonic Stability
World peace is the central determinant of the nature of the existence of humankind; many
scholars have narrowed down some theories that depict how power is balanced to attain world
cohesion. Great minds like Thomas J. McCormick, George Modelski and many others have tried
to narrow down the idea of Hegemonic stability theory, this theory combines theoretical reviews
from an economic, historical and political perspective on matters about international relations.
The word hegemony simply means power over something. It is within this line of thought the
theory was made claiming that international system stability is more likely to be attained if one
state is recognized as the supreme state. In contrast, the absence of a world superpower leads to
chaos and instability
The hegemon, the superior state, is a powerful state that exercises its dominance in the
international stage by acting as a prevalence regulator. This theory says that world peace has
always been controlled by a hegemon which is dated back from ancient times. Empires like the
Roman Empire was a hegemon in its time. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Great British was
the preponderance state in the world and it is said that it's weakening in the early 20th century
may have caused the world instability that was caused by the world wars. From this angle, it is
safe to say that the hegemonic stability theory insinuates that the weakening of a then hegemon is
an indication of a period of world chaos.
Hegemonic Stability Theory is mainly divided into two; the Realist and the Systemic
Schools of Thought. As per Thomas J McCormick’s Systemic School of thought, a hegemon
derives its superiority from factors such as economic strength, technological innovations,
military muscle and also favorable geographical location. The Systemic school as expounded by
George Modelski’s Long Cycle Theory which describes the relationship between war cycles and
Hegemonic Stability
World peace is the central determinant of the nature of the existence of humankind; many
scholars have narrowed down some theories that depict how power is balanced to attain world
cohesion. Great minds like Thomas J. McCormick, George Modelski and many others have tried
to narrow down the idea of Hegemonic stability theory, this theory combines theoretical reviews
from an economic, historical and political perspective on matters about international relations.
The word hegemony simply means power over something. It is within this line of thought the
theory was made claiming that international system stability is more likely to be attained if one
state is recognized as the supreme state. In contrast, the absence of a world superpower leads to
chaos and instability
The hegemon, the superior state, is a powerful state that exercises its dominance in the
international stage by acting as a prevalence regulator. This theory says that world peace has
always been controlled by a hegemon which is dated back from ancient times. Empires like the
Roman Empire was a hegemon in its time. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Great British was
the preponderance state in the world and it is said that it's weakening in the early 20th century
may have caused the world instability that was caused by the world wars. From this angle, it is
safe to say that the hegemonic stability theory insinuates that the weakening of a then hegemon is
an indication of a period of world chaos.
Hegemonic Stability Theory is mainly divided into two; the Realist and the Systemic
Schools of Thought. As per Thomas J McCormick’s Systemic School of thought, a hegemon
derives its superiority from factors such as economic strength, technological innovations,
military muscle and also favorable geographical location. The Systemic school as expounded by
George Modelski’s Long Cycle Theory which describes the relationship between war cycles and
HEGEMONIC STABILITY 3
factors influencing global power. Modelski argued that it takes around 70-100 years for
switching of power from one hegemon to another. The World Systems Theory by the sociologist
Immanuel Wallerstein also expounds on the Systemic School. Wallerstein argued of inequality in
the social structure on an international level as some countries prospered and the rest were
exploited. The theory divides the world into core, semi-periphery and periphery nations. Core
countries are those viewed as nations with strong and wealthy economies, strong militaries and
also politically powerful. Semi-periphery nations are less developed and not much forthcoming
in global trade. Periphery nations are the least developed economically and have high illiteracy
rates thus provide cheap labor to core nations. This world system, separate from a world empire
or a socialist system, represents the structure in which almost every country is integrated today.
It is characterized by a capitalist world-economy including a single division of labor but multiple
policies and cultures (Mossmann 2007).
The Realist School of thought disagrees with the existence of a global system that creates
and implements international law. This is because human nature is viewed as too egocentric and
conflictual to create equal international laws. The Power Transition Theory by Organski explains
more on the Realist School. The theory, first developed in 1950, states that an equal distribution
of power and military strength among nations internationally is most likely to lead to war and
conversely that an imbalanced international system assures peace between the developed and less
developed nations.
There are some specific attributes required of a nation to be considered as the hegemon,
especially in the modern evolving world. One major requirement is military superiority, this
1because the world leader should be able to maintain world peace. The active involvement of the
USA, which is considered the world hegemon, in the war against terrorism is a perfect example
1 Mossmann, pg.4
factors influencing global power. Modelski argued that it takes around 70-100 years for
switching of power from one hegemon to another. The World Systems Theory by the sociologist
Immanuel Wallerstein also expounds on the Systemic School. Wallerstein argued of inequality in
the social structure on an international level as some countries prospered and the rest were
exploited. The theory divides the world into core, semi-periphery and periphery nations. Core
countries are those viewed as nations with strong and wealthy economies, strong militaries and
also politically powerful. Semi-periphery nations are less developed and not much forthcoming
in global trade. Periphery nations are the least developed economically and have high illiteracy
rates thus provide cheap labor to core nations. This world system, separate from a world empire
or a socialist system, represents the structure in which almost every country is integrated today.
It is characterized by a capitalist world-economy including a single division of labor but multiple
policies and cultures (Mossmann 2007).
The Realist School of thought disagrees with the existence of a global system that creates
and implements international law. This is because human nature is viewed as too egocentric and
conflictual to create equal international laws. The Power Transition Theory by Organski explains
more on the Realist School. The theory, first developed in 1950, states that an equal distribution
of power and military strength among nations internationally is most likely to lead to war and
conversely that an imbalanced international system assures peace between the developed and less
developed nations.
There are some specific attributes required of a nation to be considered as the hegemon,
especially in the modern evolving world. One major requirement is military superiority, this
1because the world leader should be able to maintain world peace. The active involvement of the
USA, which is considered the world hegemon, in the war against terrorism is a perfect example
1 Mossmann, pg.4
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