Political Science · International Relations
UGC NET January 2017 Political Science
Which one of the following is not a major assumption of the balance of power?
AStates are determined to protect vital national interests
BVital national interests may be threatened
CRelative power positions of the states can be measured
DStates apply moral parameters for assessing others' behaviour ✓ Correct
Correct answer: (D) States apply moral parameters for assessing others' behaviour — The statement that is not a major assumption of the balance of power is that states apply moral parameters to judge others' behaviour.
Explanation
★The statement that is not a major assumption of the balance of power is that states apply moral parameters to judge others' behaviour.
★The balance of power is a power-political idea, not a moral one.
★It assumes states are determined to protect their vital national interests.
★It assumes those vital interests may be threatened by other states.
★It assumes the relative power positions of states can be measured and compared.
★On these assumptions states balance against rising power to preserve their security.
★Moral judgement of others' conduct belongs more to idealist than to balance-of-power thinking.
★The assumptions of the balance of power are a recurring topic in realist theory.
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