The flawed logic of a MAD man: Craig’s contribution to power preponderance theory
The flawed logic of a MAD man: Craig’s contribution to power preponderance theory
In a recent issue of this journal Campbell Craig put forward an amended version of Power Preponderance theory seeking to explain why US unipolar predominance has turned out to be not simply a ‘moment’ and as such represents ‘a serious anomaly for neorealist theory’. In using Waltz's own work on how nuclear weapons affect state behaviour, Craig appears to further bolster the case for Power Preponderance theory. Craig exploits what at first sight seems to be a contradiction in Waltz's work. However, Craig's error is that he treats security qua territorial security rather than considering a more encompassing view of state security. In the arena of ‘secondary’ security issues the usual logic of counter-balancing with conventional military forces still holds sway. This reply argues that a balance of power will return to the international system, it is just that at this moment no country or coalition of countries is quite up to the task.
2015-2023
Glenn, John
d843e423-d1f9-4be5-b667-8e44a42efff2
Glenn, John
d843e423-d1f9-4be5-b667-8e44a42efff2
Glenn, John
(2011)
The flawed logic of a MAD man: Craig’s contribution to power preponderance theory.
Review of International Studies, 37 (4), .
(doi:10.1017/S0260210510001476).
Abstract
In a recent issue of this journal Campbell Craig put forward an amended version of Power Preponderance theory seeking to explain why US unipolar predominance has turned out to be not simply a ‘moment’ and as such represents ‘a serious anomaly for neorealist theory’. In using Waltz's own work on how nuclear weapons affect state behaviour, Craig appears to further bolster the case for Power Preponderance theory. Craig exploits what at first sight seems to be a contradiction in Waltz's work. However, Craig's error is that he treats security qua territorial security rather than considering a more encompassing view of state security. In the arena of ‘secondary’ security issues the usual logic of counter-balancing with conventional military forces still holds sway. This reply argues that a balance of power will return to the international system, it is just that at this moment no country or coalition of countries is quite up to the task.
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e-pub ahead of print date: 7 January 2011
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Local EPrints ID: 80255
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/80255
ISSN: 0260-2105
PURE UUID: 4307d52e-f744-4348-ba70-f893f8a08c2d
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Date deposited: 24 Mar 2010
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 02:40
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