在一個以美國為首的後冷戰單極國際體系中，次級強權與美國之間的動態性權力安排，將直接影響單及體系是否得以續存。傳統國際關係理論主張「權力平衡」是維持國際社會與區域安全的穩定要素，但該理論針對的是強權間為維持軍事戰略利益，所採取以軍事力量作為手段的平衡關係，對於後冷戰時期美國與其他次級強權的互動，似乎缺乏解釋的效力。在這些次級強權當中，歐洲聯盟扮演一個非常特殊的角色。歐洲與美國同享重要的文化與宗教價值，但在具戰略意義的議題上，兩者的歧見卻益形明顯。歐盟在重大國際議題上與美國的背道而馳，已形成..

In a U.S.-dominated post-Cold War unipolar international system, the possible power shifts between the second-tier great powers and the Americans, such as a systemic balance, will have great impacts on the existence and endurance of the current international system. According to the Realist theses, “balance of power” is a stabilizing factor that contributes to international security and regional stability as the great powers endeavor to prevent concentration of capabilities in one or a few nations through the process of distribu..

國際關係理論多集中於討論無政府狀態(anarchy)假設延伸下的國家互動，對國際體系中的層級(hierarchy)現象，並沒有多所注意。尤其新現實 主義的研究典範，忽略國際體系發生層級結構的可能性，更輕視討論層級結構的價值。 層級結構是國家在國際體系內追求發展與生存的過程中，所衍生出的一種權力分配暨權威(authority)規範的建構結果。霸權穩定論(Hegemony Stability Theory)與權力轉移論(Power Tran..

Neorealism and Neoliberial-institutionalism have paid little attention to the international hierarchy because international hierarchy could not take place in an international anarchic structure. The international hierarchy is a constructed result coming from the interaction of power distribution and normative authority in the process of which states seek survival and development in the international system. The international hierarchy has four characters: the asymmetry of actor’s power resources, the differen..