Power, proximity, and democracy

Geopolitical competition in the international system

Bibliographic Data

ID3916759
AuthorsJonathan N Markowitz (0000-0001-7429-8397, University of Southern California, corresponding author), Christopher J Fari (0000-0001-9837-186X, University of Michigan)
Year2018
Volume55
Issue1
Pages78-93
Publication date2018-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Peace Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-3433 • E-ISSN: 1460-3578
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0022343317727328
OpenAlexW3122383752
LanguageEN
Citations received17
References cited45

Why do only some powerful states choose to develop power projection capabilities? To answer this question, we test the proposition that states choose to develop power projection capabilities when they face a competitive geopolitical environment. This proposition is derived from our theory, which is used to construct a new measure of the level of geopolitical competition that every state in the system faces. This measure incorporates each state's relative geographic position to every other state in the international system, the relative amount of economic power of those other states, and the degree to which their interests are compatible. We then apply this unique country-year measure to test the proposition that competitive environments are associated with the development of power projection capabilities, as measured by the tonnage of naval ships maintained by each country in each year. We demonstrate that our measure helps explain the degree to which states choose to invest in power projection capabilities. This provides an explanation for why the world has been economically multipolar, but military unipolar, for the past quarter century, and why this might change in the future, as rising powers with incompatible interests are increasing their investment in power projection capabilities

Competition (biology) · Computer security · Construct (python library) · Data mining · Economics · Face (sociological concept) · Geopolitics · Measure (data warehouse) · Political science · Politics · Position (finance) · Power (physics) · Projection (relational algebra) · Proposition · Sociology · State (computer science) · Computer Science · International Development and Aid · International Relations and Foreign Policy · Law · Political Conflict and Governance

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