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Balance of Power Approach 

• The Concept of balance of power is also called „a basic principle of international relations.

•The first explicit statement of the doctrine of balance of power is

credited to Bernardo Rucellai.

•This Theory began shortly after 1500 and was most successfully appliedin 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.

• The power of one group is balanced by the other opposing group.• So long as there is this type for balance, there is peace. War is due to

the existence of disequilibrium. Balance is stable when the weights in the

scales are equal

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  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 anequilibrium or a certain amount of stability in international relations” 

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Characteristics  

• 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 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 byothers.

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Characteristics  • To keep the balance, it requires a balancer for the successful

operation of the system.

• It is temporary and unstable

• It is not the sure way to peace

• 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 

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Types of Balance of Power 

• Simple Balance- Power distribution between two opposingcamps is almost equal. – USA/USSR 

• Multiple Balance- In this system, there need not be a singlesystem, instead there may be many sub-systems or local

 balances or power within a system• Local, Regional and Global-

The balance is local, if it is at local level. E.g. India andPakistan.

It is Regional, if it is an area or a continent . E.g. Europe or Asia.

It is global or worldwide- all the countries are preparing in itthrough a network of alliances and counter alliances.

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Methods or Techniques of B of P 

• Armament and Disarmament-Armament race between the USA and USSR in the post world

war- II period

• Alliances and counter Alliances-

In the post World war-II, USA with its alliance formed NATO,SEATO, CENTO etc. and the USSR countered them with theWarsaw pact.

• Compensation and Partition

• Intervention and Non-Intervention

• Divide and Rule

• Buffer Status

• Domestic methds

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