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Published in:
Introduction: Multipolarity and Unipolarity after the Cold War Read chapter Read first chapter

2017 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

3. The Bipolar Cold War and Polarity Theory

Author : Goedele De Keersmaeker

Published in: Polarity, Balance of Power and International Relations Theory

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

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Abstract

We describe the reality of the bipolar Cold War and how it is only partly reflected in polarity theory and neorealism. The period was marked by the combination of power bipolarity (two superpowers), cluster bipolarity (bipolarization), and a military and ideological confrontation between two blocs with different economic and political regimes. Moreover, for the first time in history the international state system integrated at the global level and the ideological contradiction led to a Hobbesian interpretation of all local and regional events into one big East-West confrontation. All this is usually covered when one describes the period as bipolar, but neorealist interpretations have reduced this to power bipolarity.

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previous chapter Polarity: The Emergence and Development of a Concept
next chapter The Nineteenth Century: Multipolar, Bipolar or Unipolar?
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Metadata
Title
The Bipolar Cold War and Polarity Theory
Author
Goedele De Keersmaeker
Copyright Year
2017
Book
Polarity, Balance of Power and International Relations Theory

Print ISBN: 978-3-319-42651-8

Electronic ISBN: 978-3-319-42652-5

Copyright Year: 2017

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42652-5_3