Clarifying the Idea of the Balance of Power - Michael Poulshock

The idea of the balance of power is central to how scholars and policymakers think about international politics, but what does it really mean in practice? In this essay, Michael Poulshock argues that the conventional concept is vague and often conflates observation with prescription. He highlights three core issues: uncertainty about what actions actually constitute balancing, the lack of a clear definition of equilibrium in global politics, and the tendency of the literature to blur descriptive analysis with advice. By reframing the balance of power through a systematic framework grounded in power structure theory, this piece offers a fresh lens on how states form coalitions, deter dominance, and manage competition in the international system.

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