Original scientific paper
HORIZONTAL ASPECT OF BALANCING OF POWER IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Petar Popović
; University of Donja Gorica, Donja Gorica, Podgorica, Montenegro
Abstract
The author analyzes the concept of balance of power in International Relations
through critical overview of Realist tradition (both Classical and scientific),
and its horizontal understanding of balancing of power as a principle
per se. The first part analyzes the pessimistic phase (Classical Realism), with
the emphasis on the works of H.J. Morgenthau, who promoted the balance
of power as a principle per se in the hands of international power politics. In
the second part, the scientific phase (Neorealism) empirically establishes the
value-free balance of power concept in International Relations. By examining
materialism and empiricism of Realism, in the third part the author indicates
the limitations of the horizontal approach as a consequence of permanently
ignoring the vertical aspect: ideational approach and norms and rules as the
first principle of international system of society of states.
Keywords
Balance of Power; Horizontal Aspect; Realism; Empiricism; Anarchy
Hrčak ID:
101094
URI
Publication date:
26.4.2013.
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