Balance of Power

in European politics, the doctrine that it is the care of all nations to see to it that no one nation becomes too powerful for the rest to handle. The notion is in direct opposition to the theory of a great world power, such as was aimed at by Alexander, and particularly by the "Holy Roman Empire." The policy of preserving the balance of power began to make itself felt ere the religious wars were brought to a close by the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. During the latter part of the Thirty Years' War, the doctrine was leveled openly at the Austrian power. Richelieu, fearing the growing power of the Hapsburgs, sent the armies and the men of Catholic France to aid the Protestants of North Germany. Fear that Napoleon was growing too great for the rest of the world was one of the causes of his downfall. Fear that Russia might disturb the balance of power kept the Russians out of Constantinople, and caused the world to look on complacently when the Russian bear was drubbed so unmercifully by the Japanese. The doctrine that the balance of power should be preserved springs from a deeper source than mere jealousy. It is an assertion of the instinct of self preservation. The doctrine will not down until the nations are federated.