Unipolarity stability + theories

How did the world enter a unipolar world order?

• When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, the USA became the global hegemon, since there was now no other state that could compete w it globally. Therefore the world entered a unipolar world order. While the threat of nuclear was diminished theorists debate whether this has created more, or less, stability

Points for Unipolarity = stability

hegemonic stability theory

Actions of the USA as a ‘hegemon’ (case study)

Impact of US hegemony on global affairs:

• Explanation of hegemonic stability theory

• A hegemonic that is seen + accepted by other states as benign (benevolent/ good), can act as a global policeman + help to keep order + promote stability, as aggressors are deterred + other states ‘bandwagon’ to the hegemon

• Actions of the USA as a ‘hegemon’ (case study)

• US ideals of free-market liberal democracy triumphed (‘end of history’) achieving a ‘pax Americana’- USA was perceived as a legitimate global leader w other states looking up to it politically, economically, culturally. E.g. First Gulf War 1991 gained global support + UN mandate to defend Kuwait from Iraq

• Impact of US hegemony on global affairs:

• Other lesser powers were deterred from challenging the established order - inter-state conflict reduced due to USA’s significant global military presence

• Global trade increased due to greater trust + belied in stability of the international order (DPT)

Points for Unipolarity= instability

• Waltz’s argument

• E.g.s of unstable unipolarity (US decline)

• Radical theory- Malign hegemony (Chomsky)

• Waltz’s argument That unipolarity = instability 

• Other emerging powers may resent the hegemon as they may feel constrained in their ability to maximise their security + power

• When the hegemon is declining in power, this can encourage others to challenge it (power transition)

• E.g.s of unstable unipolarity (US decline):

• Failure to win wars in Afghanistan + Iraq

• Economic weakness (caused 2008 financial crisis)

• China’s increasing assertiveness/ class of Civs

• Russia’s willingness to annex Crimea + invaded Ukraine

• Step down from global leadership= Obama/ Syria; Trump NATO/ Paris climate agreement

• Radical theory- Malign hegemony (Chomsky)

• One state becoming a hegemon is dangerous as there are no constraints on what it can do, so encouraging it to act in their own interests, outside international norms/ global governance

• Hegemon become a ‘rogue superpower’ - e.g. US invaded Iraq w/out UN mandate