Effects of Cold War End on Great Powers Relations

EFFECTS OF THE END OF THE COLD WAR ON RELATIONS BETWEEN THE GREAT POWERS

This research develops a design to test an hypothesis related to the effects on relations between the great powers of the conclusion of the "Cold War." The findings of this research are presented within the contexts of (1) hypothesis formulation, (2) independent variables and justifications for their use, (3) research design, and (4) predictions of the outcomes of testing the hypothesis.

The end of the "Cold War" also marked an end to the bipolar character of international relations that existed for 50 years (Hyland, 1990, p. 5). During this 50 year period, international relations was dominated by relations between the two superpowers the Soviet Union and the United States. "Superpower" was a special sub-set of the "great power" designation that reflected the military and political dominance of the two nations.

The end of the bipolar character of international relations is leading to what former American President George Bush referred to as the "new world order" (Simai, 1994, p. 37). Thus far, however, no one seems to be able to project with any degree of accuracy just what the character of this "new world order" will be. Among the new scenarios offered are (1) a multipolar character, in which either (a) the United States will be but one of several major players, or (b) the United States, Japan, and the reunited Germany will be the major players, with a consider

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xt of this definition, great powers will include China, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The United States, regardless of its inclusion in this list of great powers, remains a superpower, and Russia continues as a military power unequaled by any country other than the United States. Two independent variables will be used to define the hypothesis. These independent variables are (1) the willingness of a great power nation to act in a way that is contrary to the expressed desires of the one remaining superpower the United States, and (2) the willingness of the United States to accept the determinations of international bodies that conflict with the positions of the United States on the issues at hand. Each of these independent variables will be characterized by the subordinate classifications of (1) actions involving international crises, (2) actions involving national sovereignty, (3) actions involving political disputes between nations, and (4) economic actions. If a great power nation is willing to act in opposition to the wishes of the United States in any of the four action subordinate classifications, such an outcome will reflect a lack of support for the hypothesis formulated for

Category: Government - E