Manuscript Number : GISRRJ19260

Balance of power is an important principle of Realist thought in international relation .In Realist theory balance of power is crucial for maintaining international peace and security .According to both realist and neo realist approaches international system is characterized by anarchy and self help system .Anarchy refers to the absence of central authority in a system of sovereign states .In other words we can say that unlike sovereign government at the domestic level which maintains order international system does not have a world government who could do the same .There is no authority who could regulate the behavior of all states.According to classical realist international system represents Hobbesian state of nature where state can’t trust each other for their security Given this mistrust states have to make their own arrangement through a self help system .However this self help also creates a problem and that is when one state tries to build its security apparatus other state perceive it as a direct threat to their security and it give rise to a phenomena called Security dilemma .Security dilemma is a situation where one state quest for security becomes another state source of insecurity .So according to realist in order to overcome this security dilemma states go for balance of power .However with time nature of balance of power got changed specially after the end of cold war.During cold war it was the two superpower who were balancing each other by making alliances and counter alliances .But the defeat of soviet bloc in the cold war and emergence of U.S as the sole hegemonic power put a direct challenge to the very idea of balance of power.So my essay will take a re look at how in the 21st century balance of power is taking a new shape and what are the nuances that a shaping it .But before going to it I would like to bring some theoretical consideration which is related to this whole theory of Balance of power.