Balance of Power vs. Empire in International Relations: A Global Study

为什么有些国际体系在相互竞争的大国之间实现了权力平衡，而另一些体系则由一个帝国主导？从欧洲历史中，国际关系学者通常认为国际体系倾向于力量平衡。然而，最近对东亚的分析强调了中国帝国的历史统治地位。其他被忽视的区域系统在这些极端之间变化。国际关系学者缺乏对国际体系何时以及为何倾向于均势或帝国的解释。该项目旨在填补这一知识空白。随着美国霸权受到质疑，中国迅速崛起，了解是什么推动了国际体系的变革是当务之急。

Why have some international systems seen power-balancing between competing Great Powers, while others have been dominated by a single empire? Drawing from European history, International Relations (IR) scholars have conventionally assumed that international systems tend towards a balance of power. Yet recent analyses of East Asia highlight the historical dominance of successive Chinese empires. Other, neglected regional systems vary between these extremes. IR scholars lack an explanation of when and why international systems tend towards balance of power or empire. This project aims to fill this knowledge gap. With US hegemony in doubt, and China rapidly rising, understanding what drives change in international systems is urgent.