The Balance of Power during the Cold War Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

The Balance of source during the iciness contend - Essay ExampleSome nations have more power than others do, and this has resulted in armed conflicts passim history including wholeness and only(a)s that have involved a large number of states such as World War I and World War II. In itself, the balance of power theory suggests that each rapid exchange in the global status or power of an independent state or collection of states leave result in counterbalancing actions by other states. This occurs most readily when the alliances between different states are comfortably broken and formed based on what is beneficial to the particular state at the time. The Balance of Power The theory of the balance of power differs substantially between authors and publications and this section will attempt to determine just about of the overall themes. Some authors consider that the model is a description of the international systems that are in bulge out currently, others consider that it is a theory of coalitions, while still others consider it a guideline to peace2. In one sense, any international system is a balance of power relationship at some level. ... y aim to maintain, as well as their position on the international stage, their relationship to other international powers and international trading relationships. States must balance their internal needs with needs of the international environment. Regardless of charter description, the balance of power remains one of the most central theories of international systems and relations4. One broad definition that can be used for the balance of power is that as the power, or perceived power of one state increases, balancing behavior by other states works to ensure that no state becomes but dominant5. One of the first principles of almost any theory on the balance of power is that leaders preferentially increase the imaginativenesss of their own states, as long as this does not put the survival of their country a t risk. Likewise, it is assumed that leaders of states weigh up the immediate and future costs and potential costs of any action before deciding to take it6.Two important notions in the balance of power are resource and system stability. A state needs access to resources in order to function, and the more resources that it has access to the more successful it will be. However, a state must balance its need for resources against the international environment, and as a consequence must sometimes compromise its resources in order to obtain peace internationally.