Seventh note to the book recommendation

In the end, we need a sound and reliable theory to explain international politics and international relations for us. There are a range of theories, and as a result, an explanation for everything is “elusive.” But perhaps the best theory we have is the difference between “external balancing” on one hand and “internal balancing” on the other hand, given that the “balance of power” between the major powers is at the heart of international affairs. “External balancing” is when a state throws their weight around at its peer competitors when the balance of power is in its favor, and “internal balancing” is when it all backfires and the state has to turn inward to focus on its internal problems.