IAFS 1000

Fall 2002

What is the ‘Balance of Power’?

Three possible answers:

1) The absence of hegemony

‘Hegemony’ is a situation in which one very powerful state (the ‘hegemon’) dominates the international system

2) The automatic and unconscious tendency of states to form ‘balancing’ coalitions against hegemons

3) The conscious policy of opposing hegemons by forming ‘balancing’ coalitions