Before We Start
Why balance of power is considered a core realist mechanism
Balance of power describes how states respond when one state grows too powerful — rather than allowing a single hegemon to dominate, other states typically act to counterbalance that rising power. This is considered one of the core, defining mechanisms within realist IR theory specifically.
💡 Two Strategies, Not Just One
States facing a rising power don't have just one available response — balancing (opposing the rising power) is the more commonly discussed strategy, but bandwagoning (joining the rising power instead) represents a genuinely distinct alternative choice some weaker states make.
Mnemonic
The specific strategic responses
Internal Balancing
Build up your own military
A state responds to a rising power by strengthening its own capabilities directly, rather than relying on external partners.
External Balancing
Form alliances against the rising power
Rather than (or in addition to) building up domestic capability, states form coalitions specifically to counterbalance the rising power's growing strength.
Bandwagoning
Weaker states join the rising power instead
A genuinely different strategic choice — rather than opposing the rising power, some weaker states calculate that aligning WITH it serves their interests better than opposing it.
💊 The three polarity structures worth knowing directly: unipolar (one hegemon — the post-Cold War period is the classic example), bipolar (two dominant powers — the Cold War), and multipolar (several comparable powers — 19th century Europe). The specific balancing dynamics at play often differ significantly depending on which of these three structures characterizes the system at a given time.
⚖️ Applying the Framework — Predicting State Responses to a Rising Power
A previously mid-tier state experiences rapid economic and military growth over a relatively short period, alarming several of its neighbors. One neighboring state responds by significantly increasing its own defense spending; another neighboring state instead begins actively courting closer ties with the rising power.
Classify the First Response
Significantly increasing domestic defense spending in response to the rising power is a clear example of internal balancing — the state is building up its own capability directly, rather than relying on external partnerships or aligning with the rising power itself. This reflects the classic realist "self-help" logic applied specifically to a rising-power scenario.
Classify the Second Response
Actively courting closer ties with the rising power, rather than opposing it, is a clear example of bandwagoning — this second neighboring state has made a genuinely different strategic calculation than the first, judging that alignment serves its interests better than opposition. This illustrates that "balancing" is not the only rational response available to states facing a rising power — bandwagoning represents a real, distinct alternative some states choose.
📌 Exam Application
Balance of power questions test both the specific strategies and the polarity structures:
Strategy identification: "A state responds to a rising power by forming a coalition with other states specifically to counterbalance it. What strategy is this?" → External balancing.
Strategy identification: "A weaker state responds to a rising power by aligning with it rather than opposing it. What strategy is this?" → Bandwagoning.
Polarity recall: "What polarity structure characterized the Cold War?" → Bipolar (two dominant powers — the US and USSR).
⚠️ The Trap — Assuming Balancing Is the Only Rational Response to a Rising Power
Because "balance of power" is the more commonly discussed and named phenomenon, it's easy to assume opposing a rising power is always the expected, rational response. But bandwagoning represents a genuinely distinct, real strategic alternative some states rationally choose, particularly when they judge opposition to be too costly or unlikely to succeed.
The safeguard: Remember bandwagoning as a genuine, distinct strategic alternative to balancing, not simply a failure or exception to the expected balancing pattern.
✓ Quick Self-Test
Answer before checking:
1. What is the difference between internal and external balancing?
2. What is bandwagoning, and how does it differ from balancing?
3. What are the three polarity structures, with a historical example of each?
4. Is balance of power considered a core mechanism within realism, liberalism, or constructivism?
Answers:
1. Internal balancing means building up one's own military; external balancing means forming alliances against the rising power.
2. Bandwagoning means weaker states join the rising power instead of opposing it — a distinct alternative to balancing.
3. Unipolar (post-Cold War), bipolar (Cold War), multipolar (19th century Europe).
4. Realism.
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International Organizations — What They Can and Cannot Do
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