Balance of Power in 21st Century in Terms of Offensive Structural Realism

Abstract

Offensive structural realism which based on thoughts of John Mearsheimer implies that great powers fear each other because of their unknown intentions in the conditions of uncertainty. Thus, great powers increase their relative power and maximize security in order to survival. Moreover, they pursue balancing or buck-passing strategies that depend on structures of the system. Mearsheimer called the 21st century as unbalanced multipolarity where Turkey and Iran want to become the potential hegomon in the South Caucasus, Central Asia and especially in the Middle East. Although Turkey pursues buck-passing strategy in the Middle East and Iran’s nuclear issue, both Turkey and Iran pursue balancing strategy in the South Caucasus. On the other hand, Russia wants to become the potential hegomon in the post-soviet region and increase its influence in the Northeast Asia area. After the accession to WTO, China has increased its power with its high speed economic growth which seeks to become the potential hegemon in the Northeast Asia region. As the hegemon of its region, USA acts as the offshore balancer in order to prevent the emerging of any potential hegemon in other regions.