Which of the following thinkers believes that equality of power among the 'major powers' minimizes the likelihood of war?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 1:

The thinker who believes that the equality of power among 'major powers' minimizes the likelihood of war is John Mearsheimer. This perspective is rooted in the school of thought known as Offensive Realism, where Mearsheimer is a prominent figure. While Mearsheimer is an Offensive Realist who generally views international politics as a ruthless, dangerous, and competitive arena where states constantly strive for hegemony, the specific concept of "equality of power minimizing war" aligns with the related theory of **Balance of Power Realism** and Mearsheimer’s analysis of bipolarity versus multipolarity. In Realist thought, a state of equilibrium, or an equal distribution of capabilities (power), creates mutual deterrence. When major powers are roughly equal, neither state is confident that it can win a war swiftly or cheaply, thus deterring aggressive action. Mearsheimer's work, particularly when comparing different system structures (like bipolarity, where two major powers balance, or balanced multipolarity), emphasizes that a balanced distribution of power creates clarity and caution, thereby reducing the likelihood of a major war, as opposed to unbalanced systems where an ambitious state might seek to exploit a power disparity.

The incorrect option is 2:

Susan Strange was a highly influential thinker associated with the field of International Political Economy (IPE), not classical or structural Realism. Her primary focus was on the relationship between states and markets, and how financial and structural power operates globally. Strange developed the concept of "structural power," arguing that whoever controls the fundamental structures of the global political economy (like production, finance, security, and knowledge) holds the real power, often eclipsing state military power. Her analysis centered on the decline of American state power and the rise of market authority, making her arguments largely orthogonal to the traditional Realist concern about the military balance of major powers as a determinant of war and peace.

The incorrect option is 3:

Joseph S. Nye Jr. is a leading figure in Liberal International Relations theory and is renowned for developing the concept of "soft power." His work heavily emphasizes interdependence, cooperation, and the changing nature of power beyond traditional military capabilities (hard power). Nye's focus is typically on how non-state actors, international organizations, and the attraction of a country's culture and values (soft power) influence world politics. While he acknowledges the importance of military balance, his core theoretical contribution seeks to explain cooperation and the decreasing utility of military force, rather than focusing on the balance of hard power among major states as the primary mechanism for minimizing war. His perspective is generally optimistic about avoiding war through complex interdependence, contrasting sharply with the power-balancing mechanisms emphasized by Realists.

The incorrect option is 4:

Noam Chomsky is a world-famous linguist, philosopher, and political activist, but he is not a theorist of International Relations (IR) in the traditional sense of Mearsheimer, Nye, or Strange. Chomsky is a leading critic of US foreign policy, globalization, and mainstream media, often employing a radical or critical theory perspective. His analysis frequently denounces the actions of powerful states, particularly the United States, arguing that their wars and interventions are driven by economic and imperialistic motives. He does not base his arguments on the equality or balance of power among major states as a condition for peace; rather, his work suggests that systemic abuses of power by dominant states are the root cause of global conflict and injustice.