What is balance of power? Discuss how the balance of power system evolved following WWII.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The ideal answer should include:
1. A balance of power system is characterized by a rough equality in the power resources (political, economic, and, especially, military) that can be exercised by sets of competing states. An actor is prevented from taking advantage of others because of the power of other actors to retaliate. Many argue that this leads to international peace and stability.
2. After WWII, the classic balance of power system was replaced by bipolarity. This meant that two centers of power - the Soviet Union and the United States - dominated world politics. Despite animosity, the formidable military power on each side deterred them from fighting each other directly during a 40-year "cold" war.
3. From the early 1970s until the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, the international system of power became increasingly multipolar. This meant that power was concentrated in multiple sources. Despite this, the two superpowers still were dominant. What's more, they engaged in an arms race and adopted the strategy of mutually assured destruction.
4. Today's international system can be characterized as unipolar with the US as a hegemonic power. The system also has some elements of multipolarity.