The main objective of this study was to test two competing propositions on the relationship between the distribution of power and international stability: parity model (a relatively equal distribution of power leads to stability) versus preponderance model (a relatively unequal distribution of power leads to stability). These two competing models were tested for the 102 minor-minor power crises, drawn from the International Crisis Behavior (ICB) data set, for the period 1946-1985. / The framework of analysis was conceptualized based on the following three theoretical backgrounds: (1) the locus of minor-minor dyads within the hierarchical structure of international relations; (2) the differentiation of three different thresholds of escalation--violence, lethal violence, and war--in a scale of increasing intensity; and (3) crisis learning theory in recurrent crises. The independent variable, dyadic power disparity, was measured as a power ratio. Each of three different thresholds of conflict was served a respective dependent variable, being dichotomized. The analyses were conducted in the following fashion. First, simple bivariate analysis with no control factor was run. Second, I conducted a series of bivariate analyses with controlling for each of five contextual factors--regime type, subsystemic power concentration, mutual membership in a regional security organization, superpower climate (cold war/detente), and superpower commitment. Finally, multivariate analysis incorporating all five contextual factors was run. The results were presented in terms of logit analyses and 2 $\times$ 2 tables. / The results supported the preponderance hypothesis. The higher the threshold was, the more statistically significant and stronger the support for the preponderance hypothesis was. The preponderance hypothesis was more likely to be supported in the context in which there exist no mechanisms of conflict resolution. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 52-10, Section: A, page: 3715. / Major Professor: Dale L. Smith. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1991.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_76490 |
| Contributors | Bae, Chinsoo., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 291 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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