The Balance Of Power: History & Theory

The balance of power principle has been central to both the study and practice of international politics for over three hundred years. It has guided governments in the conduct of foreign policy and provided a structure for understanding some of the recurring patterns of international relations. Michael Sheehan examines the various meanings given to the balance of power over the centuries and traces its theory and practice through steadily more complex forms. He examines the balance principle both as a guiding light of national foreign policies and as a structural explanation of how the international system operates, looking at key thinkers and politicians who have influenced its development.