A distribution in which one state so far exceeds all others in military, economic and diplomatic capability that no rival or combination of rivals can effectively balance against it.

The predominance of a single power to the point where it can set and enforce the rules of the international order, whether through leadership that others accept or through domination they cannot resist.

What are the claimed advantages of a unipolar order?

The dominant power can enforce rules and deter aggression without waiting for agreement, and the absence of a serious rival removes the arms racing and alliance competition that great-power rivalry produces.

What are the claimed dangers of a unipolar order?

With no counterweight, the dominant power may act without restraint and be tempted into overreach, while resentment of its dominance encourages others to combine or to pursue asymmetric means against it.

A distribution in which two states or blocs of roughly comparable strength dominate, with most other states aligning with one side or the other.

Edexcel A-Level Politics 9PL0

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Power and Developments

Polarity and the changing world order

3 things to know
Component 3

Overview

Recall questions on unipolarity and hegemony, bipolarity and multipolarity, the stability claimed for each, and how world order has shifted since 2000.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Evaluation

What is the argument that multipolarity is stable?

Key term

How has world order changed since 2000?

Key term

What is polarity in global politics?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What is polarity in global politics?
Model answer
The distribution of power among the leading states in the international system, and the number of centres around which the system is organised.
2
What is unipolarity?
Model answer
A distribution in which one state so far exceeds all others in military, economic and diplomatic capability that no rival or combination of rivals can effectively balance against it.
3
What is hegemony?
Model answer
The predominance of a single power to the point where it can set and enforce the rules of the international order, whether through leadership that others accept or through domination they cannot resist.
4
What are the claimed advantages of a unipolar order?
Model answer
The dominant power can enforce rules and deter aggression without waiting for agreement, and the absence of a serious rival removes the arms racing and alliance competition that great-power rivalry produces.
5
What are the claimed dangers of a unipolar order?
Model answer
With no counterweight, the dominant power may act without restraint and be tempted into overreach, while resentment of its dominance encourages others to combine or to pursue asymmetric means against it.
6
What is bipolarity?
Model answer
A distribution in which two states or blocs of roughly comparable strength dominate, with most other states aligning with one side or the other.

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Polarity and the changing world order

Overview

What you need to know

What is the argument that multipolarity is stable?

How has world order changed since 2000?

What is polarity in global politics?

Questions from this subtopic

What is polarity in global politics?

What is unipolarity?

What is hegemony?

What are the claimed advantages of a unipolar order?

What are the claimed dangers of a unipolar order?

What is bipolarity?

Other ways to work this

What is inside Levo

The 3-step method, run for you

Cram a whole paper in one sitting

Blank Blitz makes facts automatic

Build It gets the exam shape right

Test It catches misconceptions

Brain Breaks between sessions

Every question in Power and Developments, on a schedule.