The Balance of Power: History and TheoryThe balance of power is one of the most fundamental concepts behind international politics and provides a structure for explaining some of the essential principles behind international relations. Yet despite its widespread importance it remains an enigma and is surrounded by controversy.The Balance of Powertraces the evolution of the theory from the eighteenth century to the present day. It incorporates classical anlysis and recent research to give a detailed account of the concept in practice and the operation of the international system while challenging traditional views of the balance of power. Its exploration of the way the balance of power operated in key historical periods shows how the generally accepted development of the concept is based on a misunderstanding of the historical reality. |
Contents
The meaning of the balance of power | 1 |
Intellectual origins and early development | 24 |
Balance of power policies | 53 |
Balance of power systems | 76 |
17001815 | 97 |
18151914 | 121 |
Competing perspectives | 145 |
The balance of power in the nuclear era | 170 |
The future of the balance of power concept | 192 |
Bibliography and further reading | 206 |
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Common terms and phrases
accepted actors aggression alliance allies approach argued arms control attempt Austria balance of power balance of terror bandwagoning bipolar balance Britain British capability central balance characterised Claude clearly coalition cold war collective security Concert of Europe conflict critical crucial deterrence diplomacy diplomatic distribution of power dominant eighteenth century emerged equilibrium European balance example existence feature foreign policy France French Germany Gulick Haas Habsburg Hans Morgenthau hegemony identified important interests international politics international relations international system Italy Kaplan Kenneth Waltz London maintain major powers Martin Wight means military Morgenthau Morton Kaplan multipolar Napoleon NATO nineteenth century nuclear weapons operation organisation particular peace period power concept power idea power politics power system power theory power thinking preponderance preserve principle produced Prussia realist role Schroeder seen sense side Soviet Spain stability statesmen strategic struggle territorial threat tion traditional Treaty Vienna Waltz wars Wight World Politics writers