Theoretical Framework: Balance of Power and Types of Balancing Acts

This chapter aims to establish the theoretical framework for examining the concept of the balance of powerBalance of power, focusing on its application in understanding how states engage in balancingBalancing behaviors within international and regional systems. The balance of powerBalance of power is widely acknowledged as a fundamental and extensively debated concept in the field of international relations and politics. Alongside this, the concept of the balance of threatBalance of threat has gained equal prominence. A significant scholarly discourse revolves around whether states prioritize balancingBalancing powerPower dynamics or perceived threats. This chapter addresses this debate by incorporating both balance of powerBalance of power and balance of threatBalance of threat theories, aiming to identify the conditions under which states employ balancingBalancing strategies. Consequently, the chapter explores the political instruments utilized by states in their pursuit of balancingBalancing strategies.