importance of the balance of Power
Discuss the importance of the Balance of Power with reference to the relevant theory in international relations.
Introduction
The concept of Balance of Power is a tenet of Realism that seeks to explain the formation of alliances in international relations. This is done in the context that Realism as a Theory argues that states as actors in the international system act out of self interest, need to survive in a hostile environment and to maximise profit. Balance of Power can be understood best when one looks at structural realism. Smith 2005 argues that Balance of Power is not a theory about everything. Balance of Power is a positivist theory about the way in which the systemic stress limits the behaviour of states (Smith et al 2005:198-202). Throughout time, Balance of Power has shown resilience and offers continuity in the international system: it argues that the is a system of independent political units with no central authority above them; therefore, the system is anarchic (ibid 2005). States fundamentally want to survive and act accordingly in order to maintain their sovereignty (ibid). This is the framework under which this essay is to be understood. We can take China as an example that wants to maximize its power through the establishment of relations with Africa as a region. This phenomenon is referred to by realist scholars as ‘soft balancing’ (Volsky 2008). The aim is not to just look at china’s engagement as an unexpected surprise but to see it as a natural step in the growth trajectory of china through the lenses of Balance of Power and structuralism theory. I advocate that due to the balance of power theses advanced by structural realism, China had to engage Africa as a region in order to increase its relational power to the United States, who after the Cold War became unipolar actors in the world system (Brown 2001:111). African states because of state interest found a security blanket in China, a political ally and a new market that they could
Introduction
The concept of Balance of Power is a tenet of Realism that seeks to explain the formation of alliances in international relations. This is done in the context that Realism as a Theory argues that states as actors in the international system act out of self interest, need to survive in a hostile environment and to maximise profit. Balance of Power can be understood best when one looks at structural realism. Smith 2005 argues that Balance of Power is not a theory about everything. Balance of Power is a positivist theory about the way in which the systemic stress limits the behaviour of states (Smith et al 2005:198-202). Throughout time, Balance of Power has shown resilience and offers continuity in the international system: it argues that the is a system of independent political units with no central authority above them; therefore, the system is anarchic (ibid 2005). States fundamentally want to survive and act accordingly in order to maintain their sovereignty (ibid). This is the framework under which this essay is to be understood. We can take China as an example that wants to maximize its power through the establishment of relations with Africa as a region. This phenomenon is referred to by realist scholars as ‘soft balancing’ (Volsky 2008). The aim is not to just look at china’s engagement as an unexpected surprise but to see it as a natural step in the growth trajectory of china through the lenses of Balance of Power and structuralism theory. I advocate that due to the balance of power theses advanced by structural realism, China had to engage Africa as a region in order to increase its relational power to the United States, who after the Cold War became unipolar actors in the world system (Brown 2001:111). African states because of state interest found a security blanket in China, a political ally and a new market that they could
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