Abstract:

This study was prepared to contribute to Turkish literature by explaining the basic assumptions of the Power Transition Theory. The internal capacity that forms the power of the countries covers many economic, military, demographic, land and technological variables. These internal capacities are not stable. The rise trend brought by the military and economic growth of the states leads to the instability of the international system by the approach of the forces of these states to each other. The attempt of states not satisfied with the international system to create a revision of the hierarchy of the international system could drive the global system into war. This study was prepared to analyze today’s international system through Organski’s Power Transition Theory, which demonstrates the breakdowns in the international system by empirical methods. In this context, the basic assumptions of GGT are revealed and it is studied how the systemic breakdowns of today have an impact on the world politics. Although the theory of power transition is widely applied in literature, the rise of China in the international hierarchy can be observed in an empirical way. In fact, the new hegemony will be a common view of many authors in China and is also supported by the data.

Abstract:

This study was prepared to explain the basic assumptions of Power Transition Theory in order to contribute Turkish international relations literature. The analysis of material capacities of countries comprises various variables such as economic, military, demographic, territorial and technological. These material capacities are not constant. Rising military and economic trends of national material capabilities may result in instability of the international system, due to power parity among the states. At the end of this process, the World may be dragged into a global war due to the dissatisfaction of the states. This study is prepared to explain power shifts within the international system on the basis of Organski’s Power Transition Theory. It is reviewed in the context of this study that how World politics is affected by the systemic disequilibrium. Power Transition Theory and the rise of China is empirically one of the most studied cases in the context of local and international hierarchy. Indeed, most scholars accept that the new preponderant would possibly be China after the US hegemony on the basis of empirical analyses.   

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