International Relations. A self-Study Guide to Theory

Self-study (2) 
Read chapter 5 of Theory of International Politics. Learn about the analo-
gy used to explain the effects of international structures. Do states behave 
like firms under constraints of market forces?
3.4. Balance-of-power politics 
How do states behave under structural constraints? What kind of politics do 
they have to choose? 
As we know, in neorealist theory, survival is the motive and reason for 
action in a world where the security of states is not assured (security dilem-
ma). Under conditions of anarchy, security is the highest goal; survival has to 
be assured in a system that has no rules set by a central authority. Mistrust 
and uncertainty about the ambitions of other states are the dominating condi-
tions in such a system. 
According to the neorealist explanation, an anarchical system “encour-
ages” the units to seek security (Waltz 1979: 126). The fate of each state de-
pends on its response to what other states do; this is why we have arms races, 
competition and imitation in the field of military technological innovations. 
Power, the buildup of military, economic and technological strength, is the 
means (not an end) to achieving security. The first concern of states therefore 

---

135 
is not to maximize power, but to balance power, and to maintain their posi-
tion in the system (Waltz 1979: 126). An anarchical system that is defined by 
the distribution of power induces states to behave in such a way that they 
seek the balance of power. States balance power by, for example, building up 
military strength or forming and joining alliances.
However, this assertion applies first and foremost to the great powers in 
the system. It is a defining feature of neorealist theory to focus on great pow-
ers: the “units” of greatest capability count most for the behavior of states. 
“Concern with international politics as a system requires concentration on the 
states that make the most difference. A general theory of international politics 
is necessarily based on the great powers.” (Waltz 1979: 73). “Secondary”, 
less important and not-so-capable states usually join the weaker of two coali-
tions or alliances; states do not wish to maximize power (in this case they 
would join the stronger side), but to balance power. If states wished to max-
imize power, no balances would be formed.
In terms of politics, the structural constraints of an anarchical system “en-
courage” the states in the system to adopt “Realpolitik” (Waltz 1979: 117). 
The system thus indicates to a certain extent the “methods” by which foreign 
policy is conducted and provides a “rationale” for them. Structural con-
straints explain why the methods are repeatedly used despite differences in 
persons and states: the “structure of the international system” encourages a 
certain type of politics in which a state’s interest is the rationale of actions. 
This is based on a strong belief that the necessities of politics are derived 
from the unregulated competition between states and that calculation based 
on these necessities can lead to the policies that will best serve a state’s inter-
est. “Success”, defined as preserving and strengthening the state, is the ulti-
mate test of policy (Waltz 1979: 117). 
A balance-of-power theory can explain the results that such policies pro-
duce at the system level: results that may not be included in any of the actor’s 
motives or as objectives in the policies of actors. Balance-of power theory 
can be understood as a further development of system theory. It offers predic-
tions in terms of tendencies: states can be expected to behave in ways that re-
sult in balances of power. The dynamics of the system limit the freedom of 
the individual units. This is why their behavior and the outcomes of their be-
havior become predictable. 
In sum: In neorealist theory, international structures are defined in terms 
of the distribution of power between the primary political units of an era. Un-
der the “structural constraints” of international politics, the result is that the 
units behave in a way that tends towards the creation of balances of power. A 
balance of power is the outcome of international politics that results from 

---

136 
states’ actions and interactions, shaped by the system’s constraints. A balance 
of power is an outcome that can only be explained by a system level theory. 
Such a theory predicts a strong tendency toward balance in the system. Bal-
ances will be disrupted and restored again; thus, balances of power form on a 
recurrent basis.
A theory of international politics claims to explain certain aspects of the 
foreign policy of nations, particularly in regard to the international condi-
tions with which national policies have to cope. 
3.5. Peace and stability in the international system
The purpose of neorealist theory is explanation and prediction: how can one 
explain recurrent patterns of war/conflict and peace and stability in the inter-
national system? In terms of the theory, the objective is to define the condi-
tions for peace. A commitment to balance-of-power-politics is the outcome of 
the theory in terms of “policy advice”. Peace and stability are defined as the 
absence of major conflict and war, provided by phases of balance of power.
In the absence of authoritative regulation (anarchy) Waltz favors a “loose 
coupling” and a certain amount of control exercised by large states in order to 
help promote peace and stability. Most important in international politics is 
control (not regulation) and prevention (not coordination) (Waltz 1979: 209). 
For Waltz, the use of force in international politics will be prevented by the 
threat of force. Thus, employing the threat or use of force to influence states’ 
policies is the most important means of control in security politics.
In an anarchical system, states with superior power are able to “absorb” 
destabilizing changes simply by virtue of their greater power (Waltz 1979: 
210). Neorealist theory therefore can be read as a strong plea for a “construc-
tive management” of international affairs by great powers (Waltz 1979: 210). 
In such a system, the basic condition of anarchy will prevail and will be re-
produced by the actions and interactions of states. The security dilemma can-
not be solved. International politics is “timeless” in that it is an endless cycle 
of war/conflict and peace/stability, governed by the logic of balance-of-
power. 
Now recap what you have learned by carefully reading the key aspects in 
the synopsis below and answering the review questions. 

---

137 
Step 4: 
Check your understanding: key aspects and review questions 
Key aspects