What is the balance of power, and how effective is it in preventing war?
The balance of power can be defined in a variety of different ways, including the
following:
• An even distribution of power between rival power blocs.
• The existing distribution of power, which may be even or uneven. A policy designed to achieve an even or more even balance of power.
• An inherent tendency in international politics to produce an even distribution of power. Views about the capacity of the balance of power to prevent war diverge, however:
• Realists argue that the balance of power is the surest, and perhaps only, guarantee that war can be avoided. Its value is that an even distribution of power, whether brought about naturally or as a consequence of statecraft, prevents the triumph of dominant powers. Powers will be deterred from attacking others only if they have reason to believe they will be unsuccessful.
• Liberals, on the other hand, believe that the balance of power merely legitimises state egoism and fosters the growth of military power. In this view, the balance of power is a cause of intensifying tension and possibly war, based upon a mind-set of competition, rivalry and distrust. The intellectual skills that are relevant to this question are as follows:
The ability to analyse and explain the relationship between the balance of power and the likelihood of war.
• The existing distribution of power, which may be even or uneven. A policy designed to achieve an even or more even balance of power.
• An inherent tendency in international politics to produce an even distribution of power. Views about the capacity of the balance of power to prevent war diverge, however:
• Realists argue that the balance of power is the surest, and perhaps only, guarantee that war can be avoided. Its value is that an even distribution of power, whether brought about naturally or as a consequence of statecraft, prevents the triumph of dominant powers. Powers will be deterred from attacking others only if they have reason to believe they will be unsuccessful.
• Liberals, on the other hand, believe that the balance of power merely legitimises state egoism and fosters the growth of military power. In this view, the balance of power is a cause of intensifying tension and possibly war, based upon a mind-set of competition, rivalry and distrust. The intellectual skills that are relevant to this question are as follows:
The ability to analyse and explain the relationship between the balance of power and the likelihood of war.