In this paper at hand, I assume that every peace settlement presents either a new regulation of an international system or a kind of fundamental change in international understanding of legitimacy and legality.
The “system concept” implies that there must be some interconnectedness between the component parts (such as states, communities etc). An entity, which is totally disconnected, cannot be a part of a system. Moreover, the concept of system implies some degree of regularity in relationships. According to Luard, “where the behaviour is entirely unpredictable, arbitrary and wayward, no system of relations can be said to exist”. (Luard 1992: 11) Luard’s assumption is “in a system, behaviour must be sufficiently consistent and regular that, over the long term, a recognisable pattern results” (Luard 1992: 12) that it appears systematic.
If a system existed, it must be demonstrated by deeds as well as words. Therefore, the preoccupation of this paper is defining the theory and than combining the theory with a historical example. The common objectives of this paper are, in the first part, to formulate the idea of “Balance of Power” which is explicitly alluded to in historical peace treaties. And to discuss “Balance of Power” as an institution of international relations and diplomacy, and to formulate different models of “Balance of Power”, so that they may be subjected to appropriate combination with historical example.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Evolution and Theory of the Balance of Power
2.1. Hans J. Morgenthau’s “Politics among Nations”
2.2. Hedley Bull’s “The Anarchical Society”
3. Case Example: Congress of Vienna
3.1. Historical Background
3.2. Paul W. Schroeder: on “Balance of Power” at the Congress of Vienna
4. Conclusion
Research Objectives & Key Themes
The primary objective of this paper is to examine the "Balance of Power" concept as both a theoretical framework in International Relations and a practical tool in diplomatic history, with a specific focus on the Congress of Vienna (1814/1815) as a case study for international order.
- Theoretical definitions of the Balance of Power (Morgenthau and Bull).
- The evolution of power politics from the Westphalian era to the 19th century.
- Historical analysis of the Congress of Vienna and its peace settlement principles.
- Critical evaluation of the Vienna System through the lens of Paul W. Schroeder.
- The role of international institutions in maintaining peace versus traditional power balancing.
Excerpt from the Book
3.2. Paul W. Schroeder: on “Balance of Power” at the Congress of Vienna
Schroeder’s thesis is not that the 1815 balance of power needs to be defined or understood differently, or that modified kind of a new balance of power, but he argues that any balance of power interpretation of Congress of Vienna is misleading. At centre of his thesis is the claim that the Vienna System did not rest on the traditional balance of power, as so many realist have claimed (such as Morgentau). He argued that the essential power relations were hegemonic, not balanced, and a hegemonic distribution of power, along with other factors, made the system work. (Schroeder 1992: 684)
In 1792, the Britain was dominant in Western Europe and overseas, Dutch (see Feldbæck 2007: 484,485) and France (Crouzet 2007: 577) influence were routed, the United Provinces and Prussia allied to United Kingdom. Russia dominated the Black Sea and had reasserted its control over Poland and played and dominant role in its partitions. In Schroeder’s opinion, “the pattern of emerging Anglo-Russian hegemony was neatly illustrated in the Anglo-Russian Ochakov crisis of 1971. The confrontation came about because each had expanded its sphere of influence so far they briefly collided, immediately in the Ottoman Empire, less directly over Central and Eastern Europe”. (Schroeder 1992: 691) In this point Schroeder argues that not only Britain and Russia but also Austria and Prussia meant “hegemony”, while saying “balance”.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: The introduction outlines the systemic nature of international relations and sets the paper's focus on defining the "Balance of Power" institution through theoretical modeling and historical application.
2. Evolution and Theory of the Balance of Power: This chapter reviews the historical development of balancing policies and introduces the competing models of Hans J. Morgenthau and Hedley Bull to frame the subsequent historical analysis.
2.1. Hans J. Morgenthau’s “Politics among Nations”: This section examines Morgenthau’s structural-mechanic view of the balance of power, emphasizing state independence and the role of great powers.
2.2. Hedley Bull’s “The Anarchical Society”: This section details Bull’s conception of the balance of power as one of five key institutions, contrasting it with realist perspectives by highlighting international norms and society.
3. Case Example: Congress of Vienna: This chapter applies the previously established theoretical frameworks to the historical settlement of 1815.
3.1. Historical Background: This section covers the geopolitical landscape, the diplomatic efforts of the Great Powers, and the principles of legitimacy and territorial compensation used to restore order.
3.2. Paul W. Schroeder: on “Balance of Power” at the Congress of Vienna: This section presents a critical counter-argument to the traditional interpretation of the Vienna System, suggesting it relied on hegemony rather than a formal balance of power.
4. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, arguing that the Vienna system's success lay in its establishment of a rule-based governance structure rather than mere power balancing.
Keywords
Balance of Power, International Relations, Congress of Vienna, Diplomacy, Hans J. Morgenthau, Hedley Bull, Paul W. Schroeder, International Society, Hegemony, Westphalian System, Peace Settlement, Great Powers, Sovereignty, Political Stability, Power Politics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper explores the concept of the "Balance of Power" in European international politics, examining how it functions as both an institution of diplomacy and a system of international order.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The study covers the theoretical evolution of balance of power theories, the emergence of the modern international system, and the practical application of these concepts during the Congress of Vienna.
What is the main research question or goal?
The goal is to analyze whether the Vienna Peace Settlement (1814-1815) truly relied on a "Balance of Power" or if it functioned more as a hegemonic and rule-based system.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The paper utilizes a comparative analysis, evaluating historical events through the distinct theoretical lenses of Hans J. Morgenthau, Hedley Bull, and Paul W. Schroeder.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body treats the transition from early modern dynastic politics to 19th-century international governance, detailed theoretical models of balancing, and the specific territorial and diplomatic decisions made at Vienna.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Balance of Power, International Relations, Congress of Vienna, Diplomacy, International Society, Hegemony, and the Vienna System.
How does the author characterize the Congress of Vienna?
The author argues that the Vienna System was less a traditional "balance of power" and more a functional equivalent to an international society that established binding rules to prevent conflict.
What critical perspective does Paul W. Schroeder contribute to the analysis?
Schroeder challenges the traditional realist view, arguing that the peace settlement was actually maintained by hegemonic distribution of power rather than an equitable balance.
Why did the Vienna system eventually unravel according to the text?
The text notes that the system struggled because it failed to incorporate the Ottoman Empire into its regulatory framework, leading to regional instability after 1853.
- Citar trabajo
- Anonym (Autor), 2008, The Balance of Power. A System of Peace in European International Politics, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/346845
