Footnote to the post titled “The Virtues of Anarchy”

In the end, the ultimate result of the uncoordinated actions of states in the international system is none other than the balance of power. If states pursue policies which conform to the balance of power, they are right. If states do not pursue policies that conform to the balance of power, they are wrong. And given the centrality of the balance of power in both foreign policy and international relations, it follows that foreign policy and international relations become one and the same. Waltz also made a very interesting point about how states respond to the emerging balance of power. In essence, states can make one of two choices. One, states can bandwagon with the major power which has the advantage in the overall balance of power. Or two, states can join forces with the weaker major power and balance against the greater power. The choice for states is between balancing and bandwagoning in the very end. You also need either two or three major powers for a balance of power system, which we in fact have at the moment. And as Waltz argued, states will balance with the lesser major power in order to prevent the greater major power from becoming a hegemon. And overall, there is a “socialization” of states which occurs as a result of the balance of power. In the end, all states are socialized into the balance of power system. And given that the balance of power is always in a state of adjustment and flux, there are only “outbreaks” of peace. But at the same time, when peace does break out, it is the result of adjustments made on the part of states within the constraints imposed on states by the balance of power system. Survival and security is the goal. Survival and security as the goal is the ultimate constraint on states. And as a result, states will choose to balance and secure themselves against the biggest threat to their security rather than bandwagon with the greater power and pursue more power, given that the major power which is greater and which seeks hegemony is perceived as the bigger threat by smaller states, and as a result, states will balance against the bigger power rather than bandwagon with it.