According to the realist perspective, what unique feature of the post–Cold War world drives international outcomes? How do the power transition and power balancing schools view and construct international strategies for the United States around this feature?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Varies. The realist perspective recognizes American dominance or unipolarity as the unique feature of the post–Cold War world driving international outcomes. According to the power transition school, American dominance is the safest structure for American security and that dominance can be preserved. As the power transition school sees wars arising from movement away from hegemony toward equilibrium, their strategies focus on preserving American hegemony. The power balance school, on the other hand, predicts that American dominance will not last and that wars arise from movements away from equilibrium. Their strategies, therefore, focus on reducing American hegemony by accommodating rising powers.