Balance of Power in International Relations - Realism and Balancing

Realism and Balancing

The Balance of Power theory is a core tenet of both classical and neorealist theory and seeks to explain alliance formation. Due to the neorealist idea of anarchism as a result of the international system, states must ensure their survival through maintaining or increasing their power in a self-help world. With no authority above the state to come to its rescue in the event of an attack by a hegemon, states attempt to prevent a potential hegemon from arising by balancing against it. According to Kenneth Waltz, the founder of neorealism “Balance-of-power politics prevail wherever two, and only two requirements are met: that the order be anarchic and that it be populated by units wishing to survive.” They can do this either through internal balancing, where a state uses internal efforts such as moving to increase economic capability, developing clever strategies and increasing military strength; or through external balancing: when states take external measures to increase their security by forming alliances. States happy with their place in the system are known as ‘status quo’ states, while those seeking to alter the balance of power in their favor are generally referred to as ‘revisionist states’ and aspire for hegemony, thus upsetting the balance.