Journal of Advocacy, Research and Education, 2017, 4(3) 181 Technology and Power Play in the International System: A Study of the 20th and 21st Centuries Grace Yusuf a , Joel Abah b , * , Nancy Oluchi Iwegbunam c a Bingham University, Karu, Abuja, Nigeria b Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria c Nigeria Defence Academy, Zaria, Nigeria Paper Review Summary: Received: 2017, November 22 Received in revised form: 2017, December 17 Acceptance: 2017, December 18 Abstract Globalization has led to a profound diffusion of technological innovations among State and Non-state actors. This has a resultant impact on the arrangement of the distribution of power in the International System. History captures continuous transition in the distribution of power between states in the International System; from a multi-polar system during the first and Second World War, to the bipolar system of the cold war and the uni-polar system that emerged in the aftermath of the cold war. The emergence of new actors in the international system and the change in technological nature and application is ushering in a new era of ‘Non-polarity’ in the International System. The aim of this paper is to consider the evolving dynamics of the distribution of power in the International System while considering the roles technology has to play. The paper relays the conceptualization of basic terms, and then applies the ‘Balance of Power theory’ as its theoretical thrust. Finally, it expands on the role of technology in the distribution of power in the International System and what it entails for the future. Keywords: International System, Polarity, Power, Stability, Technology, War. Introduction A ‘Great Power’ is often seen as a State which thrives in the size of its Population, Territory, Military Strength, Economic Capabilities, Resource Endowment and Competence. According to Waltz (1979), these are the characteristics of the States ‘ Power Capabilities’ that enables her to apply her political, economic, military and social influence in a global scale (p. 5). As important as the stand of Waltz is, it is key to note to that the size of a country’s population, territory, and others to a large extent are not the strongest determinants of the level of power a nation possesses globally. * Corresponding author E-mail addresses: grace_yusuf@yahoo.com (G. Yusuf), legendaryjoel@gmail.com (J. Abah), nancy_oluchi@yahoo.com (N. O. Iwegbunam) Copyright © 2017 by KAD International All rights reserved. Published in the Ghana http://kadint.net/our-journal.html