Balance of Power Approach

B al ance of Powe Powerr A ppro pr oach  The Concept of balance balance of power power is also called called „a basic principle of  international relations. •

The first explicit statement of the doctrine of balance of power po wer is credited to Bernardo Rucellai. •

This Theory began shortly after 1500 and was most successfully applied in the 18th and 19th Century. •

No nation can live in isolation. A large number of nations with varying degree of power exist and each nation tries to maximize its power. power. •

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The power of one group is balanced by the other opposing group.

So long as there is this type for balance, there is peace. p eace. War War is due to the existence of disequilibrium. Balance is stable when the weights in the scales are equal •

Definitions 

According to Morgenthau, “The balance of power is an actual state of  affairs in which power is distributed among nations with approximate equality”. •

George Schwarzenberger says, “ The balance of power is an equilibrium or a certain amount of stability in international relations” •

Characteristics  •

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The balance of power in subject to constant change from equilibrium to disequilibrium. It is not a gift of god, but is achieved by the active intention of  men. It favors the „status „s tatus quo‟ but to effective, the policy must be changing and dynamic one. The game of balance of power is meant for big powers only and the small powers are like weights in a balance used by others.

Characteristics 

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To keep the balance, it requires a balancer for the successful operation of the system.

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It is temporary and unstable

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It is not the sure way to peace

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Excessive power anywhere in the system is a threat to the existence of other nations. So other nations must rise to this danger and meet power with power 

Types Types of B alan al ance ce of Power  Power  •

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Simple Balance- Power distribution between two opposing camps is almost equal. – USA/USSR  Multiple Balance- In this system, there need not be a single system, instead there may be many sub-systems or local  balances or power within a system Local, Regional and GlobalThe balance is local, if it is at local level. E.g. India and Pakistan. It is Regional, if it is an area or a continent . E.g. Europe or  Asia. It is global or worldwideworld wide- all the countries are preparing in it through a network of alliances and counter alliances.

M ethod th ods s or Tech n i que qu es of B of P  Armament and DisarmamentArmament race between the USA and USSR in the post po st world war- II period Alliances and counter AlliancesIn the post World war-II, USA with its alliance formed NATO, SEATO, CENTO etc. and the USSR countered them with the Warsaw pact. Compensation and Partition Intervention and Non-Intervention Divide and Rule Buffer Status Domestic methds •

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Rel Rel evan van ce of B alan al ance ce of Power  Power  Pr i ncip nci pl e i n M oder n Ti mes  mes 

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Bi-Polarity

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Disappearance of Balances

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Fear of Destructive war 

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The limitations imposed by ideology

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Increasing Disparity in the Power of States

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Impact of new Forces

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