Class: A Primer on International Affairs

(DAFF2070A)
Professor: COMOLET Emmanuel
Student: Filip Stankovic

Is The Contemporary International System Multipolar?

A Primer on International Affairs - presentation

Session
1

Plan:
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

Distribution of power
a) unipolar
b) bipolar
c) multipolar

systems
Pre-WW2 system - [genuine] Westphalian system (Kissinger)
Aftermath of WW2 - bipolar international system
End of the Cold war - unipolar international system

Is 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.
<http://in.reuters.com/article/2015/02/09/india-economy-gdp-idINKBN0LD1AI20150209>.

4.

Perlo-Freeman, Sam. "Mar. 2014: Deciphering China's Latest Defence Budget Figures."
Www.sipri.org. SIPRI, n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2015. <http://www.sipri.org/media/newsletter/
essay/perlo-freeman-mar-2013>.

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. <http://
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-to-become-worlds-most-populous-nationaround-2028-UN/articleshow/20586377.cms>.

6.

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