Great-Power War Is Not Unique to the Twentieth Century

question 23

Essay

Great-power war is not unique to the twentieth century. Long-cycle theorists assert that a rhythmic pattern of war and world leadership change has existed for the past 500 years. Long-cycle theory is disarmingly simple, and for this reason it is not without its critics. Write an essay in which you critically evaluate long-cycle theory as a tool for understanding world politics.

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Definitions:

Cabinet-Level Departments

Major administrative units in the executive branch of the U.S. Government, each headed by a Secretary (or Attorney General for the Department of Justice), responsible for advising the President on areas within their purview, such as defense, education, or health.

Cabinet Secretaries

High-ranking officials in the executive branch of the U.S. government who head each of the executive departments and advise the President.

Bureaucracy

A system of government or organization in which decisions are made by state officials or staff rather than by elected representatives, often characterized by specified procedures and hierarchy.

National Bureaucracy

The complex structure of departments, agencies, and employees that constitute the administrative arm of a national government, responsible for implementing and managing public policies and services.