PSCI 2750 - INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Bachelor of Political Science, KIRKHS, IIUM #slidepoli

1. Power Politics
Power. Balance of power. Balance of threat.
Alternatives—World government; Collective security.

2. Introduction
• Language of power pervades discussions
of IR [e.g. “peace through strength”]
• Meaning of power politics?
• Are there alternatives to this vision of IR?

3. The Logic of Power Politics
A. From anarchy to power politics
Anarchy Insecurity Self-Help
Security
Dilemma

4. BALANCE OF POWER
• International politics is struggle for power,
states seek power but unlimited or open
struggle for power can lead to destruction or
war. So, power should be managed and
balance of power is the most important
concept of power management in
international relations.

5. Definition of Balance of Power
George Schwarzenberger
describe BOP as , “an
equilibrium or a certain
amount of stability in power
relations that under favorable
conditions is produced by an alliances
of states or by other devices…’’

6. Meaning of Balance of Power
``Balance of Power” means,
when no one power or a
combination is allowed to
grow so strong as to threaten
the security of the rest. It means the equal
distribution of power and peace and
independence of small nations is protected.

7. Assumptions of Balance of Power
• States are committed to protect their vital
interests by all possible means.
• Balance of power should protect vital interests
of all.
• Statesmen make their foreign policy decisions
on the basis of an intelligent understanding of
power considerations.
• Existence of balancer.

8. Nature of Balance of Power
• Equilibrium in power relations..
• Stable and unstable ….
• Active intervention…
• Difficult to determine existence …
• Status- quo…
• Big power game …
• Multiplicity of states as an essential condition

9. Nature of Balance of Power…
• National interest is its basis …
• The balancer..
• Conflicting aims…
• The test of BOP is war…

10. The Logic of Power Politics
B. How do power politics play out?
1. Balance of power theory: without knowing
intentions, states assume power is a threat and
balance against it. They also sometimes
assume balance best preserves peace.
a. Problems of defining and measuring power [e.g.,
was there a balance or imbalance of power
during the cold War?]
b. Inconsistent use of terminology
c. Hard to account for cases where nations aligned
with, not against, the more powerful state

11. The Logic of Power Politics
2. Balance of threat theory: states make
judgments about intentions and balance
against other states that appear to pose the
greatest threat. This appears to better account
for alignments after WWII
3. Preponderance or hegemonic stability theory:
states align on the basis of interests [though
actual alliance may require specific and
immediate threats]. Peace is best preserved by
imbalance of power in favor of status quo
states

12. The Logic of Power Politics
• The common vision of power politics:
1. Anarchy is central in shaping IR
2. States concerned about their power vis-à-vis
others
3. The pursuit of power and security is the
driving force of international politics

13. Alternatives to Power Politics
A. World government
– Theoretically could solve the problem
– Problem of implementation/creation
B. Collective security
– Elements:
a. Collective security recognizes importance
of power and deterrence
b. Replaces national power with a community
of power
c. Not world govt., no military force

14. Alternatives to Power Politics
d. Agreement not to use force to settle disputes
e. Agreement to join other states opposing
states that do use force
2. Historical experience: League of Nations
a. Historically specific problems [U.S. non-entry]
b. But failure may be better seen as result of
problems inherent in any collective security
system

15. Alternatives to Power Politics
3. Problems of collective security:
a. Identification of “aggressor” not always clear
b. Status quo bias—problem of peaceful
change
c. Expectation that nations will use force when
national interests are not at stake [or even
against national interests] unrealistic

16. Alternatives to Power Politics
C. Anarchy without power politics
1. Example of security communities: nations
whose experience allows them to coexist
with a reasonable expectation of nonviolence
2. Social construction of power politics:
anarchy leads to power politics only if
statesmen think that it must. The
consequences of anarchy are not automatic;
anarchy is what states make of it

17. Conclusion
A. The ending of major conflicts [WWII,
Cold War] often prompts thinking about
creating a new international order
B. The question is, what are the limits of
feasible change?