The balance of power is one of the most influential ideas in international relations, yet it has never been comprehensively examined in pre-modern or non-European contexts. This book redresses this imbalance. The authors present eight new case studies of balancing and balancing failure in pre-modern and non-European international systems.

The balance of power is one of the most influential ideas in international relations, yet it has never been comprehensively examined in pre-modern or non-European contexts. This book redresses this imbalance. The authors present eight new case studies of balancing and balancing failure in pre-modern and non-European international systems.

Introduction: Balance and Hierarchy in International Systems; S.J.Kaufman, R.Little & W.C.Wohlforth Balancing and Balancing Failure in Biblical Times: Assyria and the Ancient Middle Eastern System 900-600 BCE; S.J.Kaufman & W.C.Wohlforth The Greek City States in the Fifth Century BCE: Persia and the Balance of Power; R.Little Intra-Greek Balancing, the Mediterranean Crisis of ca. 201-200 B.C., and the Rise of Rome; A.M.Eckstein The Forest and the King of Beasts: Hierarchy and Opposition in Ancient India (c.500 - c.232 BCE); W.J.Brenner The Triumph of Domination in the Ancient Chinese System; V.Tin-bor Hui 'A Republic for Expansion': The Roman Constitution and Empire and Balance of Power Theory; D.Deudney Hierarchy and Resistance in the American State-Systems, 1400-1800 CE; C.Jones Stability and Hierarchy in East Asian International Relations, 1300 to 1900CE; D.C.Kang Conclusion: Theoretical Insights from the Study of World History; S.J.Kaufman, R.Little & W.C.Wohlforth