Alliances:

Balancing &
Bandwagoning
Hierarchy & Hegemony
in International Politics

Balancing &
Bandwagoning

Definition and
Implications
Juhea
Hwang
201323004
3

Definition
Forms of alliances that states
choose when facing an
external threat.
Extern
al
Threat

Balancing
To ally with
others against
the prevailing
threat

Allian
ce
Bandwagoni
ng
To ally with the
prevailing
threat

Definition
Power isnt the only factor considered when choosing
whom to ally with
Other factors that may pose threat are also conserved
Ex.) Geographic proximity, aggressive intention etc.
Not a matter of allying with weaker or stronger
states, but rather a matter of allying with or

against a foreign state that poses the

greatest threat.

Balancing behavior
Two reasons why states would choose to
For four hundred years the foreign
balance:

policy of England has been to oppose

the strongest most aggressive,
1.
They
believepower
that on
if they
most
dominating
the cannot
continent..,
we always took
the before
curb
the threatening
state
harder course, joined with the less
it becomes
too strong, it puts their
strong powers, and thus
survival military
at risk
defeatedstate
the Continental
tyrant whoever he was.
- Winston Churchill

2. States can gain more

influence amongst their
allies

Bandwagoning behavior
Bandwagoning theory has been preferred and
supported throughout history as well

Justification
of overseas
involvement
or increased
leaders
will
military
accommodate
budgets
themselves
to what
they will regard as
the dominant
trend
-Henry Kissinger

If the United
States were to
falter, the whole
world.. would
inevitably
Cold begin to
move toward the
War
Communist bloc
Soviet
-John F. Kennedy

Union

Americ
an
Official
s

Implications
Balancing
Restraint (of
power)
Benevolence
Aggression
discouraged

Bandwago
ning
Competition for
power
Rivalry
More likely to use
force
States would
gain more allies
when they seem
aggressive

Aggressive
action would
provoke other
states to align
against
theare quiet opposite, it is dangerous to
As the
policies
aggressive
state
misperceive
which is the dominant trend.

What Affects
States Decision to
Balance or
Bandwagon?
Un Hyung
Lee
201323004
2

3 Factors that affect

States Decision according
to Walt

When do States Balance?

Bandwagon?
In general, balancing behavior is more
common than bandwagoning
Ex.) defensive coalition against hegemony
attempts in Europe

Bandwagoning is dangerous because it

lends more resources to the
threatening power and replaces the
trust in its forbearance

1. Dimensions of Threat

2. The Availability of Allies

3. Security Climate- Peace

and War

Case Study
Russias Choice of
Foreign Policy:
Balancing or
Bandwagoning?
Min Young
Lee
201323006
1

Russia
Strength
en ?

Balance
?

3 Conditions Russia Faces

1. Russias capability to address US
dominance in international politics
2. Can China be a reliable strategic
partner to Russia?
3. Security climate of the post-Cold War
era

1-1. Shift in Power:

Economy

Independence + SelfReliance

1-2. Shift in Power:

Military

2-1. Alliance with China

Russia + China BOTH

concerned

U.S.
Russi
a
Chin
a

Military presence
eliminated
Improves its position
Supportive of Russias
security role

2-2. Good Neighborly

Treaty of Friendship &
Cooperation
Mutual
Consultation

Rapproche
ment

China

Military Technology
Western Sanction
Emerging

3-1. Post-Cold War Era

Securit
y
structu
re

Allies
Vs.
Enemi
es

Crucial
for
nations
survival

Widening
perception gap

Europes attitude
towards USA

 Balance >
Bandwagon

Hierarchy &
Hegemony:
Asian & Western
systems
Inha Kim
201323003
2

East Asian tribute

system
China

East Asian tribute

system
China (cont)
Built on legitimate authority & material
power
Normative social order + Chinas
commitment
No exploitation of the secondary
states

3 Themes of
Asian System
JooHee Kim
201323002
0

3 Themes of
East Asian international
system

1. Acceptance of tribute
system
Almost all the actors in East Asia accepted
tribute system
Basis for interaction throughout East Asia
No identical application
Different states modified, abandoned, and
used the ideas in a flexible manner
depending on the circumstances
Importance of cultural achievement
hierarchy ranking

2. Confucian society
within tribute system
Confucian society as in sharing ideas, norms,
and interests that determine membership in the
group
4 Asian countries accepting Chinese ideas &
cultural similarity

3. Overarching
significance of the rules &
norms
These rules and norms were consequential for
diplomacy, war, trade, and cultural exchanging
between political units in East Asia
Acted as tools for resolving conflicting goals &
interests short of resorting to war