Systemic approaches are often criticized for failing to explain why individual units, such as states, would
behave in the manner that they expect. Consider a balance-of-power system. Imagine one state is
increasing in power. Balance of power expects other states to constrain this rising power. What incentives
would other states have to do so? Why might self-interested states fail to act against a rising power? What
national interests may motivate a state to not take action? How does the issues of hard, soft and smart
power come into play? Does subjective credibility and objective reality play a role? Can you identify a case
currently in the international arena where this might be applied?
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