What is 'Balance of Power'? How could a state achieve this?
Balance of Power is a component of traditional security policy. When countries observe that some nations are bigger and stronger, this serves as a clue to who might be a threat in the future. Governments remain sensitive to the balance of power, especially with neighbouring countries or those with whom they have differences.
A state can achieve balance of power through several means. A major part is building up one's military power. Additionally, economic and technological power are important as they form the basis for military power. States also pursue alliance building, forming coalitions to increase their effective power relative to other countries or alliances. This helps deter or defend against military attacks.
Explanation
The answer draws directly from the textbook context which defines balance of power as a component of traditional security policy where countries assess relative strengths to identify potential threats. The context clearly states that maintaining balance of power involves building military power, economic and technological power, and alliance building. The answer is structured in two paragraphs as required for a 4-mark question, with key terms highlighted in bold.