The document discusses balance of power theory, a realist international relations theory. According to the theory, national security is strengthened when military power is distributed so that no single state can dominate others. If one state becomes stronger, it may attack weaker neighbors, prompting threatened states to form defensive coalitions. When faced with an external threat, states can counter through balancing, bandwagoning, buck-passing, or bloodletting. Balancing involves increasing one's own military capabilities or forming alliances to counter a rising power. Bandwagoning means aligning with the stronger power, while buck-passing passes responsibility for countering the threat to another state. Bloodletting causes rivals to engage in prolonged conflict while remaining neutral.