Explain collective security and the Balance of power.

Explain collective security and the Balance of power. Write about the difference between Balance of power and collective security.

Collective Security and the Balance of Power

According to Claude, balance of power and collective security are the devices of the management of power. Palmer and Perkins have called the theory of balance of power the basic principle of international relations. Balance of power aims at such distribution of power among the states so that no single rate or group of balance of power serves the purpose of guaranteeing the independence of states and maintenance of peace.

People regard a system of collective security as a device for maintaining peace and security. It aims to provide security to all nations. Nations will have differences and disputes, but they will not resolve them by means of force. Collective security represents the collective measure of all states against any aggression. One state’s attack will be regarded as an attack on all states, and the combined strength of all the states will register the same.

Difference between Balance of Power and Collective Security

(1) A system of collective security aims at preserving peace. This comes into existence by way of a universal treaty entered upon among the nations against an abstract and unknown party. No specific nation directs this treaty against the aggressor whatsoever it may be.

A system of balance of power is also a device of maintaining peace. Balance at times war becomes necessary either for maintaining the balance or for achieving preponderant power. In a system of collective security, however, nations do not rule out the fact of war and resort to it only where aggression takes place and before that. In a system of balance of power the target is not abstract or unknown. A counter-alliance directed against some specific nation or a group of nations produces the result.

(2) Balance of power is based upon the assumption of rival groups, conflict and rivalry, whereas collective security is based upon the assumption of shared interests, universal cooperation, and the principles of world community that an attack on any single member is an attack on all, requiring a joint, unified response to deter or defeat aggression.

(3) Since balance of power is based upon group rivalry hence, there exists an atmosphere of fear and mistrust in

the

International system.

But the basis of collective security is not mutual rivalry but mutual cooperation, in which the ideas of common outlook

, cooperation and trust are inherent.

(4) Self-interest motivates the balance of power. Under a system of balance of power a nation can go to war only when it serves its interests. In a system of collective security, nations motivate themselves by no self-interest except the interest of peace and security.

(5) Alliance, armament, territorial expansion and political man occurring are the important devices of balance of power, but they are disastrous for a system of collective security. The atmosphere created by a system of balance of power runs counter to the objectives of collective security.

(6) Under a system of balance of power, group rivalry based upon power may create a serious situation. But the existence of group rivalry defeats the very purpose of collective security. The purpose of collective security is neither the showdown of strength nor the increase of force. Its purpose is to achieve such over-whelming power that the aggressor being terrified may not dare to commit aggression at all. The aggressor is forewarned of the situation that if it commits aggression, it will be thwarted by the combined strength of all nations which will be superior to that of the aggressor.

(7) A proper functioning of collective security is possible only through some International organisations, as the League of Nations functioned in the past and the United Nations is functioning at present. It does not operate under the direction of any nation, but functions through some international organization. For a system of balance of power no such organisation is needed.