Nature and the Relevance of the World Balance of Power after World War II

Abstract

The balance of power, a core concept in an international relations, seeks equilibrium among nations to prevent dominance. Rooted in realism, it deters aggressions and fosters stability by distributing influence across states. As the global landscape evolves, debates persist on adapting the balance to accommodate non-state actors and technological shifts, crucial for international stability. The concept had also been applied in practice in international politics. It is important since its contribution to the maintenance of world peace as an international system had lasted for nearly three centuries. Although the concept of balance of power had been in practice in the international system for nearly three centuries, there are differing views on its relevance and nature. Research problem of this study is to find, what are the balances of power models influencing the behavior of the international system and why is its relevance presently outdated? This research paper contains a qualitative research study on the nature of world balance of power within the post-World War II period and utilized secondary data for the said purpose. Accordingly, the concept of balance of power is still relevant present day context but is relatively outdated compared to the past. But there is still validity for this concept as one of the strategies of power management. There can be no peace without a balance of power, and peace represents an arrangement of power in a stable manner or balance of power.