A concept that describes the degree of equilibrium (balance) or disequilibrium (imbalance) of power in the global or regional system
The distribution of power in a system such that no one state may overwhelm others behavioural revolution The introduction of more empirical analysis into the study of government and politics bicameralism A system of government in which the legislature is divided into two chambers, an upper and lower house bill A piece of legislation under consideration by a legislative body binational state Two nations co-existing within one state bipolar An international system in which there are two dominant nation-states bourgeoisie A Marxist term referring to those who own the means of production bureaucracy A type of administration characterized by specialization, professionalism, and security of tenure cabinet solidarity A convention that all cabinet ministers publicly support whatever decisions the cabinet has taken, regardless of their personal views caucus A meeting of legislators of any one party to discuss parliamentary strategy and party policy
state of equilibrium between different forces, condition in which one element is not dominant over another
difference between economic and military strength of one group of countries vs another group
The balance of power is the way in which power is distributed between rival groups or countries. changes in the balance of power between the United States and Europe. Distribution of power in which no single nation is able to dominate or interfere with others. a situation in which political or military strength is shared evenly. In international relations, an equilibrium of power sufficient to discourage or prevent one nation or party from imposing its will on or interfering with the interests of another. The term came into use at the end of the Napoleonic Wars to denote the power relationships in the European state system. Until World War I, Britain played the role of balancer in a number of shifting alliances. After World War II, a Northern Hemisphere balance of power pitted the U.S. and its allies (see NATO) against the Soviet Union and its satellites (see Warsaw Pact) in a bipolar balance of power backed by the threat of nuclear war. China's defection from the Soviet camp to a nonaligned but covertly anti-Soviet stance produced a third node of power. With the Soviet Union's collapse (1991), the U.S. and its NATO allies were recognized universally as the world's paramount military power
The distribution of power in a system such that no one state may overwhelm others