Balance of Power

Balance of power is one concept that is used to reinforce the theory of realism to such a point that we
can say it is the reason why international relation is anarchic. This is the fact that states are continually
making choices to increase their own capabilities while undermining the capabilities of other; with the
intention of ensuring that no state become more powerful than others within the international system. 1
With balance of power it is of importance that alliances are formed in order to ensure one’s survival,
that when states feel threatened, they seek safety by forming alliances with others and go to war
against the threatening power or align themselves with that threatening power. The concept balance of
power is represented in the Melian dialogue where the Athenian who was one of the superpowers at
that time invaded the islands of Melos offering them an ultimatum of either surrendering to them or
face annihilation. At the beginning of the dialogue the Melians responded ‘’what is scarcely consistent
with such a proposal is the present threat indeed the certainty of your making war on us. We see that
you have come prepared to judge the argument yourself and that the likely end of it all will be either
war, if we prove that we are in the right and so refuse to surrender or else slavery.’’ 2 This response is a
clear indication that the Melians felt threatened by the Athenians and had a choice of either
surrendering and somewhat become slaves or be prepared to have war waged against them. The idea of
this concept as represented in the dialogue is to show the drive for power and the will to dominate is in
fact a fundamental aspect of human behaviour that states are willing to go war if one state tend to seem
more powerful. As such keeping the ‘’balance’’ is one of key goal for realist states.

1
Antunes Sandrina, Camisao Isabel. 2018. Retrieved from https://www.e-ir.info/2018/02/27/introducing-realism-
in-international-relations-theory/
2
Thucydides, ‘’History of the Peloponnesian War (Classic) Paperback’’, Penguin Books, 31 st Dec, 2002, (Author), M.
I. Finley (Introduction), Rex Warner (Translator), p.96.
 Conclusion

The Melian dialogue in its essence was used as way of bringing out key concepts of realism such as
survival, self-interest, balance of power, alliance, capabilities and justice. As such it pointed to the fact
that realism stands on ground that states find themselves in the shadow of anarchy so as to safeguard
themselves and ensure their security is not taken for granted. This dialogue reinforces the realist theory
on how states should conduct themselves in the realm of international politics in fulfilling the doctrine
of d’état or reason of the state. Thus, the maxim of the dialogue rest on realist notion that the ‘’strong
do what they have the power to do and the weak accept what they have to accept.’’