POLI 244 Lecture Notes - Lecture 17: Power Balance, Hard Power, Appeasement
17 Nov 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
A situation in which power is distributed equally among great powers. A more or less automatic equilibrium of power in the international system. Term balance of power can also be used to refer to a systemic tendency for the international system to become or maintain itself in equilibrium. Balance of power theory explains a systemic tendency toward equilibrium. One of the best ways to achieve this goal is to try to maintain an environment where power is balanced. States one could describe as power-gap minimizers trying to minimize gap in power between one great power and another. Balance of power becomes a deliberate policy. Result is concerted balance of power that was sought, intended. If most states were power-gap minimizers, wars would rarely occur b/c there"s no need to restore balance after an upset. However it is hard to exercise the necessary self-restraint. You can"t be sure that others will exercise self restraint.
