Problems with Power Transition Theory

Question: Discuss about the Problems with Power Transition Theory. Answer: Introduction: History has evidently taught us that rising power are likely to provoke wars. Power transition theory predicts that with shifting of power, conflicting outcome tend to take place. When two great powers aim to rise in power or establish their dominance on the other, conflicts are bound to take place (Odonnell et al., 2013). Power transition often leads to geopolitical shifts and change in the leader in the power. The already established states and its leaders will have a strong interest in maintaing their status quo. When a distributive consequence for the states occurs, the disagreement between the well established and the rising states are bound to take place. This disagreement cannot take place peacefully. In the view point of Harris, (2014), when power transition takes place, the leaders also want to create dominance and that becomes another major reason behind the disagreement of each others proposal. However, evident of non-hostile and peaceful power transition can also be stated. In the nineteenth and the twentieth centurys, when power transition took place between two most powerful international politics, United States and the British Empire, the situation would have lead to a hostile situation but it was found that the relationship between two countries was warmed (Jervis Art, 2015). In this respect, the power transition theory does not apply here. There are a number of steps in the power transition. It is not that once the power gets transmitted to other country or leader, the complete procedure of power transition ends. The problems and issues and the conflict can take place at any point of time. In this respect, Organski, (2014) pointed out, that economy and industrialization of the country happen to be the major reasons behind the rising conflict between two states. The effect of this transition is particularly reflected internally in a country rather than its presence globally. The impact of power transition is often observed in three stages. A complete transition and utilization of the resources takes place in these stages (Odonnell et al., 2013). During these stages, a well established state would try to dominate the rising state in terms of economy or politically. The situation can also lead to blockades in the trade activities. When power transition takes place and the rising power overtakes, the reigning peace and hegemony is bound to get affected. The conflict occurs undertaking the economic and military measure while converting the physical power into political power (Harris, 2014). The rising power often attacks the other state with their well established military power. Spain in the sixteenth century, France in the seventeenth and United State in the post Cold War era experienced the similar hegemony defeat when other powers collided with these major states (Jervis Art, 2015). These conflicting situations can also lead to bloody and protracted strife if the two major contenders take up arm for the conflict. Thus, it can be concluded that power transition cannot take place peacefully, the transition will automatically accompany with major conflicts and disputes. References: Harris, P. (2014). Problems with Power-Transition Theory: Beyond the Vanishing Disparities Thesis.Asian Security,10(3), 241-259. Jervis, R., Art, R. J. (2015).International politics: enduring concepts and contemporary issues. Pearson Higher Ed. Odonnell, G., Schmitter, P. C., Whitehead, L., Arnson, C. J., Lowenthal, A. F. (2013).Transitions from authoritarian rule: Tentative conclusions about uncertain democracies. JHU Press. Organski, A. F. K. (2014) Power transition.The Realism Reader, 207.