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==Theory==
Organski first described power transition theory.<ref name=":Ma&Kang" />{{Rp|page=22}} According to Organski in his textbook, ''World Politics'' (1958):<blockquote>An even distribution of political, economic, and military capabilities between contending groups of states is likely to increase the probability of war; peace is preserved best when there is an imbalance of national capabilities between disadvantaged and advantaged nations; the aggressor will come from a small group of dissatisfied strong countries; and it is the weaker, rather than the stronger power that is most likely to be the aggressor.<ref>Organski 1980, 19</ref></blockquote>Steve Chan summarizes the theory as "the danger of systemic war is greatest when a rising challenger catches up with or even overtakes a declining hegemon."<ref name=":Ma&Kang" />{{Rp|page=23}} The underlying logic is that a rising power that is satisfied with the order of the international system has little incentive to challenge the status quo, while a dissatisfied rising power may wish to challenge the status quo.<ref name=":Ma&Kang" />{{Rp|pages=23-24}}
Power transition theory interprets the international system as a hierarchical pyramid with the dominant power at the apex, then lesser [[Great power|great powers]], then other medium and small states and dependences.<ref name=":Ma&Kang" />{{Rp|page=22}}
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