One World Many TheoriesWorld War IThree Levels of AnalysesBalance of Power PoliticsPowerBOP in Europe: 19th centuryBalance of Power and WWISecond Image CausesFirst Image: IndividualsSlide 10Which Factors Do You Consider Most Significant in Explaining WWI?One World Many TheoriesRealism Neo-RealismLiberalism Neo-Liberal InstitutionalismDemocratic Peace TheoryTwo-Level GamesConstructivismFeminist TheoryMarxismDependency TheoryWorld War IThree Levels of AnalysesThird Image: Structural causes of WWISecond Image: Domestic politics causesFirst Image: The role of leadership, decision-makingBalance of Power PoliticsBOP: description of distribution of power between states–Unipolar system: Hegemony–Bipolar system–Multipolar systemConscious policy intended to achieve BOP through–Arms build up–Alliances: align with the weaker side–Divide and rule: territorial compensations; spheres of influencePowerAbility to influence–Through threats and reward: hard power–Through attraction: soft powerControl over resources–Arms, population, economy, technology, information, etc.BOP in Europe: 19th centuryConcert of Europe: 1815-1970German Unification: 1870–Change in the distribution of powerOtto von Bismarck: German Chancellor, 1870-1890Balance of Power and WWIRise of German powerRigid alliances trying to balance each other–Triple Entente –Triple AlliancePerceptions about the inevitability of warSecond Image CausesNationalism–Austria-Hungarian empire internally challenges–Balancing through territorial re-distribution more difficultDiversion from domestic problems–Rye and Iron coalitionMilitarism–Military hawks; the Sclieffen Plan; advantage of the offensive Imperialism?First Image: IndividualsIncompetent leadership?–Franz Josef – “tired old man”–Nicholas II – domestic isolation, incompetent ministers–Kaiser William II – “neurotic,” sense of inferiorityCould the war be averted by more capable leadership?What did realist, liberal, and constructivist approaches add to understanding WWI?Which Factors Do You Consider Most Significant in Explaining WWI? Alliance systemPublic opinionEconomic considerationsMilitary