Balance of Power as Applied in International Relations, Term Paper Example

Introduction

International relations among nations is one matter that constructs the new age society. People around the globe are highly dependent on this matter especially when they want to transfer from one country to another in order to find greener pastures. Having a balanced sense of existence in relation to global function entails a definite form of camaraderie among nations as they hope to embark on the social progress that they are expected to embrace accordingly. This is what good value of international relations is all about (Kegley, 503). Most often than not, the conflicts formed by political and social inequality provide a more distinct source of collision especially among national administrators as they try to define a better path towards international correlation that sets up a balance of power that is expected to create positive impact on how nations tend to relate to each other as complementary operations are embraced by each country.

Question is what really is meant by the ideals of balance of power? In the discussion that follows, a deeper sense of understanding this matter is suggested. Through redefining the different elements of national and administrational power, it is assumed that the creation of a new sense of understanding be given attention to as the concept of international camaraderie is established among particular nations that are intertwined together. Conflicts are of course expected to occur. Nevertheless, with the establishment of the balance of power that nations have between each other, these conflicts are expected to be balanced and resolved accordingly. How is this done? Discussing the manner is to be presented further in the study that follows.

The Concept behind Balance of Power

When it comes to understanding the term “power” as it is applied in politics and governance, it is rather clear and acceptable to note that the term itself denotes a sense of authority and the way it basically consists of the capacity to rule over a particular community and to direct the people and the nation’s resources towards the more positive aspects of development. Protectively, nations will protect what is theirs; government administrations are sure to make amends on the legal sanctions they follow in order to consider such matter; hence making sure that they are able to protect what is notably under their care. This aspect of territorial protection does not only involve giving attention to the welfare of the people but also to the condition of other assets that the nations possess, often, this consideration invokes a sense of control especially on how assets are directed towards protecting the most important wealth of the country, its people and its economy.

While there are different agreements that are considered extensively important in establishing such points of international connection, it could not be denied that there are instances when such legalities are being taken over with the emergent implication of situations that often question the strength of legal sanctions to protect a nation’s assets and valuable possessions. Social chaos [often involving internal conflicts among the people living in a country] are among the most common issues that brings about the need for particular countries to call for help under the provision of the theory of balance of power among internationally allied countries (Kegley, 503). Practically, it could be understood that with such alliances, national administrators could opt to take into consideration the need to become more effective in balancing the situations, through calling upon the help of other administrators with whom they have formed connections with.

For instance, the United States, being the primary country that is a member of the United Nations Organization, is expected to become an allied support to all other nations enjoined in the agreements formed by the said international group. Desiring to keep closer track on how other members of the UN are protected, the US administrator keeps close contact with its comrades (Walt,  38), its allied nations, in order for them to become more effective in tackling different issues that may arise within their own nations and/or outside their territories. When one nation rises against another, this is where the problem begins. Remaining neutral in the situation [especially if there are no reason for one to compromise his actual perceptions on the matter] the president of US is given proper condition of power to take into account the need to be involved in the situation and practically mandate the course of solution that needs to be noted in order to fix what needs to be fixed between the conflicting parties (Waltz, 32).

Does this mean that the US administration would have full power over the situation that is happening in the nation [which it is supposed to assist] and have the supreme control over matters that may largely affect the situation accordingly? No, there are sanctions that allied nations should follow; especially when dealing with issues of social chaos. Noticeably, it could be realized that when it comes to this aspect of national involvement, there are particular sanctions to be considered. These sanctions are needed to balance out the concept of power and authority that a nation’s administration has over another. It is with such control that sanctions are able to mandate as to how much involvement a nation could have in fixing or resolving issues faced by a particular country.

What of nations that are noted to have particular conditions of conflict between each other? For instance, North Korea and South Korea are governed by two very different administrations and different forms of governance. It could be realized that it is because of this separation that the concept of development have been halted or at least kept out from the knowledge of the society in comparison with the developments and advancements that the Southern region is able to accomplish. Most likely, even though the two countries are seated in the same location, positioned at the same state, the massive diversity of their beliefs and the perception they have about governance and progress keeps them away from each other.

Nevertheless, international rule of camaraderie and support sets up a sanction that keeps the Northern Region of Korea from affecting the progression of the Southern region especially when it comes to economic development (Wendt, 327). Although these nations may hold particular common grounds, it could not be denied that their existence cannot be intertwined especially alongside the desire of making a definite impact on how modern theories of social progression are convincingly used to establish a better name and reputation for both nations separately.

Aiming to control the situation and the possible rising of conflicts among particular nations, several international sanctions are established. Separating one nation from another as individual entities that has rights and responsibilities; these sanctions give each national administration a chance to be a part of creating a global brotherhood among people through carrying out their role as international support to nations facing internal and external conflicts. What makes this process even more effective is the fact that international developments are coming into a much clearer light now. Every single individual is given the chance to embrace the benefits of global camaraderie among nations; keeping everything at bay and every individual safe from particular attacks of global terrorism and other scrupulous acts is a necessary stand that administrators should seriously give attention to as part of their responsibilities (Waltz, 20).

Internationally engaging in trade and in other forms of economic and military agreements help establish a more relatively defined system that is able to maintain effective connection between nations as they desire to embrace a new sense of being, a new sense of realization on how to engage in global relations while they and their most important assets are protected accordingly. This constitutes the science of social structure that is vital in forming a definite foundation for international governance (Wendt, 327). What makes governmental authority effective is its capacity to make a mark on the ability of the nation to embrace progress amidst all the risks that may be involved in such point of advancement. The theory of balance of power further implies on how authoritative function could be further pursued, thus making a mark on how modern societies coexist between each other.

Coming up with base policies that are sure to take on a distinct sense of redefining international connection between nations helps build up a unified world that embraces the concept of globalization fully. In relation to the systems that so are established in the world today, it could not be denied that social camaraderie between nations is a must; it is a solid foundation that allows countries to coexist with each other, thus making it easier for economic and industrial progressions to occur. With such consideration in mind, it is safe to say that modern living depends so much on how the balance of power among nations is carried into full account.

Globalization and the Balance of Power

When it comes to the ideals of balancing authority between nations, there are two aspects of national function that could be given particular attention to; military protection and economic stability. National security calls for a definite form of policy, a situational distinction on how military resources are handled and managed in order to mandate a sense of direction on how people and national assets are to be protected from external and internal scrupulous attacks. These attacks are considered dangerous and disturbing especially towards mandating a sense of solid foundation on how the people and their welfare are protected accordingly.

Establishing military forms of protection is considered necessary especially in dealing with international conflicts. Being prepared for unforeseen attacks is necessary. Nevertheless, no nation is given the right to attack anyone unless national security is put in danger. The creation of international laws with regards this matter settles down the ideals of attack that one conflicting nation may have against another (Kissinger, 80). Noticeably, this is where peace agreements come into good use and are relatively recognized to set a common trend between nations as they seek unity with other countries, allowing them to function fully according to the responsibilities they are distinctly expected to complete.

When it comes to economic stability, nations are expected to take on a better stand at protecting their economic assets. Given the chance to trade and exchange products with neighboring regions, nations are given the power to control the ways by which they serve their products to others and how they accept the products that others have to offer (Sheehan, 35). The exchange of economic values that occur between these individuals entail to create a definite insistence on how nations intend to make a definite connection between each other as they practically aim to function fully for in support of the world’s desire to embrace global development at the fullest possible procedure available.

Current International Relations

The world today functions through structured camaraderie; nations are empowered to take on the option of functioning towards each other’s benefit. When conflicts arise, it is expected that every country in alliance with the one facing military, economic or social problem would be ready to provide the support needed by such nation (Mearsheimer, 79). The ability of the alliance to form a constructive process of redefining the way the nation functions in correlation with other countries mandates a sense of direction that specifically addresses the need of one country to stand alongside others that share the same vision and the same ideals as it does.

Conclusion

As pointed out in the discussion herein, the theory of balance of power works well to set unity among nations that are uniquely identified with their goals and perspectives that define the reasons behind their existence. This theory allows for the chance of mandating a better sense of considering what needs to be done and what needs to be considered when social conflicts occur. It is expected that in the coming years, more structured forms of policies dedicated to strengthening the power of such balance in the society would be created, hence making international camaraderie among nations possible (Kissinger, 78). With these options of international connections made possible, people are given proper options to expand the ways by which they embrace new opportunities that are opened for them through international considerations made possible through the establishment of good understanding between nations involved in the said connections.

Works Cited

Kegley, Charles W.; Wittkopf, Eugene R. (2005), World Politics: Trends and Transformation (10th ed.), p. 503

Mearsheimer, John (2010), “Structural Realism”, in Dunne, Tim; Kurki, Milja; Smith, Steve, International Relations Theories, New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 79–85

Mearsheimer, John (2001), The Tragedy of Great Power Politics, New York: Norton, pp. 139–161

Pirenne, J. (1963), The Tides of History: From the Expansion of Islam to the Treaties of Westphalia II, London, p. 429

Sheehan, Michael (2000), The Balance of Power: History & Theory, Routledge, p. 35

Waltz, Kenneth N. (1999), Theory of International Politics, Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, pp. 118, 121

Walt, Stephen M. (1997), The Origins of Alliances, New York: Cornell University Press, pp. 5, 17–29

Wendt, Alexander (1992), “Anarchy Is What States Make of It: The Social Construction of international Politics”,International Organization, p. 397.

Kissinger, H. (2014). World Order. Penguin Press.