Balance of Power

Abstract

The balance of power – the idea that states consciously or unconsciously strive towards an equal distribution of power to avoid dominance by one – is a core concept for the study of international politics. The discipline of international relations (IR) has long debated the standing of the balance of power as a theoretical concept. Some argue that the concept does not fit the historical empirics, whilst others have amended the concept by introducing ideas like “balance of threats,” “bandwagoning,” or “soft balancing.” However, diplomats throughout history have also frequently deployed the balance‐of‐power concept. From the Italian city‐states in the fifteenth century, through Great Power wars in Europe in the 1700s, the Concert of Europe, two world wars, and up until our day, practitioners have used the concept in various ways. The balance of power is therefore as central to the study of diplomatic practice as it is for the theoretical understanding of interstate relations.

Amerika Birleşik Devletleri ve Çin Halk Cumhuriyeti Küresel Tehdit Algılamaları (2017 – 2021)

“…Güç ilişkilerinin temel motivasyonu, sistemin anarşik yapısındaki kırılmalar doğrultusunda meydana gelen bir "güvensizlik hissi" olarak da yorumlanabilmektedir (Andersen, 2018). Buradan hareketle, Amerika Birleşik Devletleri ve Çin Halk Cumhuriyeti arasında gelişen ikili ilişkilerde güvensizlik (Friedberg, 2017).…”

Analysing The Diverse Perspectives On Balance Of Power

“…Global Politics. Bloomsbury Publishing 2. In international relations, a realist is someone who adheres to the realist theory, emphasizing the pursuit of national selfinterest, power, and the competitive nature of international politics.…”