Balance of Power as a Concept
Balance of Power as a concept
The concept of balance of power is considered as one of the oldest and fundamental concept in the field of international relations (Paul T.V 2004). International relations theorists had been defining balance of power differently to highlight its significance and relevance in international politics, as David Hume declared balance of power as scientific law due to its significance in international politics.
Glenn Snyder highlighted balance of power as a core theoretical concept in international relations. Hans Morgenthau called balance of power as “iron law of politics” and Henry
Kissinger, regarded balance of power as more an art than a science (Paul T.V 2004). Significance and relevance of balance of power even in contemporary times cannot be ignored though it was a fashionable trend among states in historical times.
Power is unevenly distributed among states in international system of states. Therefore, some of the states are powerful and others are comparatively weak. There is no instrument to measure power of states, though power is always measured in relative terms. States, especially small and weaker states, often cannot achieve security on their own. So they have to depend upon other states for enhancing their security. This way smaller state, by concluding alliances with other powerful (friendly) states try to attain balance of power against a powerful adversary or a threatening state. The term ‘Balance of Power’ refers to the general concept of one or more states’ power being used to balance that of another state or group of states (Goldstein S.J 2005).
Strategies to maintain Balance of power
The concept of balance of power ideally ensures that power is distributed in such a way that no single state or entity is able to dominate the remaining states or entities. Objective characteristics such as relative military power and economic resources determine the distribution of capabilities and hence play a central role in
The concept of balance of power is considered as one of the oldest and fundamental concept in the field of international relations (Paul T.V 2004). International relations theorists had been defining balance of power differently to highlight its significance and relevance in international politics, as David Hume declared balance of power as scientific law due to its significance in international politics.
Glenn Snyder highlighted balance of power as a core theoretical concept in international relations. Hans Morgenthau called balance of power as “iron law of politics” and Henry
Kissinger, regarded balance of power as more an art than a science (Paul T.V 2004). Significance and relevance of balance of power even in contemporary times cannot be ignored though it was a fashionable trend among states in historical times.
Power is unevenly distributed among states in international system of states. Therefore, some of the states are powerful and others are comparatively weak. There is no instrument to measure power of states, though power is always measured in relative terms. States, especially small and weaker states, often cannot achieve security on their own. So they have to depend upon other states for enhancing their security. This way smaller state, by concluding alliances with other powerful (friendly) states try to attain balance of power against a powerful adversary or a threatening state. The term ‘Balance of Power’ refers to the general concept of one or more states’ power being used to balance that of another state or group of states (Goldstein S.J 2005).
Strategies to maintain Balance of power
The concept of balance of power ideally ensures that power is distributed in such a way that no single state or entity is able to dominate the remaining states or entities. Objective characteristics such as relative military power and economic resources determine the distribution of capabilities and hence play a central role in
References: Paul T.V,(2004),Balance of Power Theory and Practice in 21st Century(Edited), Stanford University Press,California,p2 Morgenthau H J, (1992) Politics Among Nations(Revised by Kenneth W Thompson),Peking University Press Beijing,p5 Kenneth W, (2001) Man the State and War; A theoretical Analysis,, Columbia University Press, New York,P16 Kenneth N W,(1979), Theory of International Politics, Addison-Wesley Publishing company,California,p102 M J Williams, The coming revolution in foreign affairs,(2008), International Affairs,Vol84,No4,p.1110 Goldstein S.J(2005),International Relations(6th Edition) Liselotte O,(2007), The Balance of Power in Asia Pacific Security: US-China Policies on Regional Order, Taylor and Francis, New York,p25 Stephen G B, & W C Wohlforth,(2008),World out of Balance, International relations and challenge of American Primacy, Princeton University Press, New Jersey,p22-23 Chris B, & K Ainley,(2005), Understanding International Relations 3rd Edition, Palgrave MacMillan, New York,p97 Hedley B, (2002),The anarchical Society; A study of Order in World Politics(3rd Edition), Palgrave, New York,p.97-98 Micheal S, (2005), The Balance of Power, History and Theory, Routledge. New York,P122-123