War and Change in World PoliticsCambridge University Press, 1981 - 272 pages War and Change in World Politics introduces the reader to an important new theory of international political change. Arguing that the fundamental nature of international relations has not changed over the millennia, Professor Gilpin uses history, sociology, and economic theory to identify the forces causing change in the world order. The discussion focuses on the differential growth of power in the international system and the result of this unevenness. A shift in the balance of power - economic or military - weakens the foundations of the existing system, because those gaining power see the increasing benefits and the decreasing cost of changing the system. The result, maintains Gilpin, is that actors seek to alter the system through territorial, political, or economic expansion until the marginal costs of continuing change are greater than the marginal benefits. When states develop the power to change the system according to their interests they will strive to do so- either by increasing economic efficiency and maximizing mutual gain, or by redistributing wealth and power in their own favour. |
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Page ix
... social science : the so- ciological and economic modes of theory construction . This study will draw on the insights provided by these two types of social theories in an attempt to understand international political change . Each type of ...
... social science : the so- ciological and economic modes of theory construction . This study will draw on the insights provided by these two types of social theories in an attempt to understand international political change . Each type of ...
Page x
... social structures cannot be reduced wholly to self- interest ; in many cases individuals can even be viewed as behav- ing in ways opposed to their self - interest . Although individuals ( acting alone or through groups or states ) seek ...
... social structures cannot be reduced wholly to self- interest ; in many cases individuals can even be viewed as behav- ing in ways opposed to their self - interest . Although individuals ( acting alone or through groups or states ) seek ...
Page xi
... social or political change is the assumption that the purposes and natures of social institu- tions are determined principally by the self - interest and relative power of individual members . In the words of James Buchanan ...
... social or political change is the assumption that the purposes and natures of social institu- tions are determined principally by the self - interest and relative power of individual members . In the words of James Buchanan ...
Page xii
... social systems and politi- cal institutions emerge from the decisions of powerful actors in pursuit of perceived interests , the resulting social arrangements are not completely willed or controlled by these actors . Further- more , social ...
... social systems and politi- cal institutions emerge from the decisions of powerful actors in pursuit of perceived interests , the resulting social arrangements are not completely willed or controlled by these actors . Further- more , social ...
Page xiii
... social theory in an attempt to develop a theory or conception of international political change . At the same time , we are mindful of the severe limitations of both types of social theories and of the fact that even though each ...
... social theory in an attempt to develop a theory or conception of international political change . At the same time , we are mindful of the severe limitations of both types of social theories and of the fact that even though each ...
Contents
The Nature of International Political Change | 9 |
Stability and Change | 50 |
Growth and Expansion | 106 |
Equilibrium and Decline | 156 |
Hegemonic War and International Change | 186 |
Change and Continuity in World Politics | 211 |
Change and War in the Contemporary World | 231 |
245 | |
260 | |
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Common terms and phrases
argued become behavior benefits bipolar Britain British Byzantine Empire capital capitalist century change the international change the system city-state conflict consequence contemporary world costs create decline decrease diminishing returns disequilibrium distribution of power domestic dominant power E. H. Carr economic growth economic surplus efficiency empire equilibrium Europe European existing expansion factors forces foreign policy fundamental gains global governance groups hegemonic imperial important incentive increase indifference curve individuals industrial interactions interdependence interests international political change international relations international system Kenneth Waltz market economy Marxist military power modern world monetarization nation-state nomic nuclear weapons Pax Britannica political organization Polybius premodern prestige production property rights redistribution relative Revolution rise seek to change social society Soviet Union status quo structure systems change technological tend territorial theory Thucydides tion tional system trade types United University Press Waltz wars wealth and power world market economy world politics