Polarity (Edexcel A Level Politics): Revision Note

Unipolarity

• Unipolarity is when one state dominates world power

  • It is also referred to as hegemony

  • Realists consider all states strive to be the dominant world power

• In reality a unipolar power probably combines the benign and predatory qualities above

  • The United States is considered to be the sole superpower of the world

  • Many would argue global politics today is a unipolar system that is under threat

Bipolarity

• Bipolarity means that two states dominate world power

• Bipolarity can be dangerous

  • The two states usually become antagonistic toward each other, resulting in conflict

• Bipolar global power structures are not desirable but they may be somewhat inevitable as emerging powers attempt to challenge the power and authority of a unipolar system

  • Many see the emergence of BRICS states and, in particular, China, as a potential threat to the hegemony of the US

The Thucydides Trap

	Greek political philosopher Thucydides, wrote about this situation over 2000 years ago A unipolar system will always be challenged and other states will do everything they can to increase their power Eventually a bipolar system will emerge The original state of the unipolar system will attempt to destroy the rival state, leading inevitably to war

Multipolarity

• Multipolarity is a global political situation where more than three states have significant economic, military, diplomatic and cultural power

  • The United Nations supports the ideas of a multipolar system, arguing this best guarantees economic development and peace

The changing world order since 2000

• The USA has increasingly acted unilaterally rather than cooperatively with other states 

  • The 2001 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington shifted US foreign policy toward a greater willingness to violate state sovereignty if they perceived actors within that state were a threat to themselves

  • The 2003 Iraq War was led by the USA and was not a UN-sanctioned mission, though allies chose to support the US

  • The US government under President Trump has withdrawn itself from multiple UN agencies

    • It has harshly criticised NATO and rescinded its support of multilateral treaties, including the 2017 Paris Climate Agreement

• More states are questioning the benefits of multilateral intergovernmental organisations and prioritising sovereignty 

  • The United Kingdom officially left the European Union (EU) in 2020, seeing it as a threat to their sovereignty and economic progress

  • There has been a rise in states prioritising their own interests over global cooperation, including several members of the UN Security Council (Russia, USA, UK and France)

• BRICS nations and in particular China have seen significant growth in terms of economic and diplomatic power

  • This challenges traditional power structures and the supremacy of the USA  in global politics