One of the great debates in the study of international conflict involves the relation between the polarization of an international system and the outbreak of war.

One of the great debates in the study of international conflict involves the relation between the polarization of an international system and the outbreak of war. In its simplest form, this debate centers on whether "bipolarity" or "multipolarity" is more likely to lead to war. This paper analyzes these concepts with examples from World War I and the Korean War. More specifically, this paper will seek to answer the question as to why the United …

…is under a multipolar structure. With so many poles of power; the chances of victory for one actor greatly diminishes. In a bipolar structure; it is you against your enemy. You are putting up your resources and capabilities squarely against a single unitary actor, in which you have drawn a lot more information on. The delay in World War One, and the immediate advancement in the Korean War, can be seen precisely from this predication.