The Emerging Strategic Balance
light. Indubitably the strategic balance between the two super powers is the most important strategic equation obtaining today. What differentiates the nuclear forces of the super powers from other nuclear powers is not the overwhelmingly larger number of atomic weapons available with them, but their technological capability quickly to reach higher levels of sophistication which can be attained by other nuclear powers only with very great difhculty. Besides intercontinental missiles (ICBMs), multiple warhead systems (MIRVs) and anti-ballistic missile (ABM) systems, they have at present reconnaissance satellites, communication satellites and satellite inter-
A Multi-Bloc Model of The International System
This essay will attempt to define an abstract model of the international system (or, more precisely, a model of the structure of that system), as a supplement to the types presented by Morton A. Kaplan. Before attempting such a construction, it is well to show the utility of the “multi-bloc system” as an alternative to his six models. Kaplan's “balance-of-power” and “unit veto” systems are essentially defined in terms of nation-states as “actors”; and his “universal” and “hierarchical” systems have essentially but one “actor,” though in the former the nation-state subsists as an administrative and local political unit. The two “bipolar” models (“loose” and “tight”) have, by definition, two major bloc “actors,” with uncommitted nation-states on the margin and an “international actor” such as the U.N. playing a limited role in the former model. It is true that his “unit veto” system may have blocs instead of nation-states for “actors,” but by this very token the difference between a system with a multiplicity of states and one with a multiplicity of blocs is not suggested by Kaplan's typology. The possibility of an international system composed of a multiplicity of blocs has been considered by a number of writers in the past few years. Even before the end of the Second World War, Walter Lippmann wrote: The question is whether some sixty to seventy states, each acting separately, can form a universal organization for the maintenance of peace. I contend that they cannot, and that single sovereign states must combine in their neighborhoods, and that the neighborhoods must combine into larger communities and constellations, which then participate in a universal society.
Neuronal uptake inhibitors, nisoxetine and fluoxetine on rat vascular contractions.
The importance of neuronal uptake processes in rat arteries and veins was compared using nisoxetine and fluoxetine, selective inhibitors for neuronal uptake of norepinephrine and serotonin, respectively. Nisoxetine (10(-7) - 10(-5) M) increased the sensitivity to exogenous norepinephrine in the portal and mesenteric veins (10-fold) and in the mesenteric artery (2.5-fold). Responses to field stimulation were also increased afternisoxetine in all three vessels. After nisoxetine, aortic responses to norepinephrine were unaltered and in all tissues, serotonin-induced contractions were reduced. Fluoxetine did not potentiate responses to norepinephrine or to field stimulation except in the mesenteric vein where sensitivity to norepinephrine was increased and the relaxation rate after field stimulation was prolonged. Although serotonin has been detected in blood vessels, fluoxetine did not increase vascular responses to serotonin. These studies suggest that rat mesenteric veins have a highly sensitive neuronal uptake mechanism of norepinephrine. Furthermore, these data provide indirect evidence against a functionally important serotonergic uptake process in rat blood vessels and suggest that neuronal uptake of serotonin does not exert a major role in terminating the vascular action of this biogenic amine.