Publication
Balance of Power: Adversarial Pair of Scales or Associational Arch?
de Wilde, J. H., 19-Dec-2019, The 1713 Peace of Utrecht and its Enduring Effects. Soons, A. H. A. (ed.). Brill / Nijhoff, p. 31-44 14 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Academic › peer-review
By looking at its intellectual history, this chapter addresses the problem that Balance of Power by most observers is treated one-sidedly in adversarial terms, whereas a balance of power-logic often requires cooperation. The Peace of Utrecht (1713) is an example where the balance can be better compared with an arch than with a pair of scales. Moreover, an adversarial Balance of Power has little to do with weighing power in imaginary scales: 1) there are no objective standards for measuring power, 2) means of power cannot predict outcomes of struggles; and 3) outcomes themselves are discursive tools rather than historic facts. Balance of Power has two specific political functions: the first is to structure an analysis of specific historic episodes; the second is to support specific political argumentations. Using the scales argument is likely to undermine the associational logic.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | The 1713 Peace of Utrecht and its Enduring Effects |
Editors | Alfred H.A. Soons |
Publisher | Brill / Nijhoff |
Chapter | 1 |
Pages | 31-44 |
Number of pages | 14 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 978-90-04-35157-8 |
ISBN (Print) | 978-90-04-26640-7 |
Publication status | Published - 19-Dec-2019 |
- balance of power, International Relations theory, peace treaties
Keywords
ID: 120764583