Session 9: Structure & Balance of Power

Kenneth Waltz in his writing theory of foreign policy talks about the prevailing political structure. He first makes the distinction between the systems and units involved which the previous methods fail to do. He puts forward the idea that the domain of International Politics needs to be separated from economic and social sectors. Furthermore, he considers the domestic and foreign arenas as completely different entities.

Separation of International Politics from the existing social and economic conditions may be theoretically possible as the author has done however; in reality these factors greatly affect foreign policy. For instance, Pakistan’s recent attempt to have closer ties with Russia is a cause of its need to be economically sound. Similarly, evaluating the domestic and international arena differently is an interesting concept and for most part the two do stand alone. Although the two could be inter related on a more secondary level but, primarily the two can easily be assumed to be separate. Also, various units or states in this case, are considered similar despite their function which is also a good way to simplify the complex political scenario.

In the next chapter Waltz describes both anarchical and hierarchical orders. In his opinion governments are capable of exercising legitimate force under a hierarchical realm while anarchical situations depict states in a weak spot. The author also brings up the concept that states prefer being loosely connecting to each other over dependence. This idea makes sense as nations value their own interests above those of other states. They only ally with other states as part of their interest.

The balance of power theory has also been put forth which tries picturing the result of uncoordinated action of the state. It explains how similar situations make states respond in the same manner. The theory provides expectations about behaviour and outcomes and further helps analyses how the overall system is to remain balanced. There is emphasis on how the balance of power if disrupted will be restored. But, once again the theory feels distant from reality as the ‘balance’ itself remains hazy. Even the assumptions behind the theory have not been explained.