Question

Balancing: 1. The ___ a powerful state, the greater the tendency for those nearby to align against it. 2. The greater the threatening state's ___, the greater the tendency for others to align against it. 3. The greater a state's ___, the greater the tendency for others to align against it. 4. Alliances formed during ___ will disintegrate when the enemy is defeated.

Answer 1

In international relations, the balance of power is a concept where states align against more powerful ones to prevent dominance, with alliances often dissipating post-conflict. This balance can be unipolar, bipolar, or multipolar, reflecting the power distribution among states.

Step-by-step explanation:

Balancing in international relations involves responding to the distribution of power among states to prevent any one state from becoming too dominant. The statements provided can be completed as follows:

1. The more powerful a state, the greater the tendency for those nearby to align against it.
2. The greater the threatening state's aggression or power, the greater the tendency for others to align against it.
3. The greater a state's influence, the greater the tendency for others to align against it.
4. Alliances formed during conflict or war will disintegrate when the enemy is defeated.

Realist theory in international relations posits that states act rationally in an anarchic system to create balance of power, which helps maintain order and prevent any single state from dominating. This balance can manifest as unipolar, bipolar, or multipolar structures, depending on whether one, two, or many states hold significant power, respectively.