Definitions
Periodical systemic classification of the post-Cold War era
The theoretical framework for this section’s analysis has been presented in sections of Issue of polarity and Alliance formation.
The empirical material and reality events of great power game can be found in sections of Great Powers and Alliances.
Based on theoretical framework and empirical material, the following four-period classification can be found and defined.
Each period can be characterized by certain behaviors of competing great powers and the starting/ending points of each period can be specified.
- Period 1990 – 1999: deep unipolarity, bandwagoning
- Period 2000 – 2007: unipolarity, awakening of competitors
- Period 2008 – 2014: declining unipolarity, soft balancing
- Period 2014 – 2019: transforming of polarity, hard balancing