Waltz

Waltz is a prominent theory in international relations that explains how states behave in the international system. It suggests that the structure of the system—primarily the distribution of power—guides state actions more than individual leaders or specific events. In a "multipolar" system, with several powerful states, stability arises from a balance of power; in a "bipolar" system, two dominant states keep each other in check; and in a "unipolar" system, a single superpower maintains global order. Waltz's theory emphasizes that this structural design influences state behavior, promoting stability or conflict based on how power is distributed.