Hegemonic Stability Theory In International Relations

PLS 395: Independent Studies

Instructor: Mwitta Chacha

Student: Olzhas Kabimoldin

In the current international system the proliferation of the intergovernmental organization and institutions are common feature. Many international relations theories tried to explain this trend of international institutions. One might claim that these institutions are like domestic institutions, but less effective. This paper is going to present the realist explanation of the emergence and endurance of the intergovernmental organization, the United Nations by providing information on structure of the institution and cooperation issue in the international system. One of the main explanations for the survival of the United Nations can be found in the “Hegemon

This theory states that international peace and security could be guaranteed only when there is a dominant force, which might express and enforce the rules between actors in the international system. In order to be a hegemon a state should will to be responsible to system and have abilities to do so. Capabilities of the state to become a hegemon vested in large, advanced economy, domination in technologies, political power, and strong military capacity. For instance, nineteenth century’s Great Britain hegemony and the twenty years after the Second World War of the United States hegemony could be accepted as the dominant force, which suits for the Hegemonic Stability Theory (Puchala, 2005). According to Puchala (2005), American domination in intergovernmental organizations, economic and financial institutions, including the United Nations is driven by the United States, as a hegemon. It can be said that the United States has been using the United Nations for its own interests using its power. The dominance of the hegemon in intergovernmental organizations such as the United Nations could explain endurance and emergence of

Hence, in explaining the endurance and emergence of the United Nations this paper mostly based its assumption power in the international system. Realism as the core theory of the international relations was presented. Similarities of the structure of the United Nations with realism as a theory was illustrated, so that the emergence of this institution can be explained from this side. Cooperation was introduced as the challenge for the international theories with appropriate criticisms. The main source of the endurance of the United Nations can be the willingness of the hegemon to use it as tool in order to promote its own interests and values in the international