The balance of power
Example: The balance of power shifted dramatically after the treaty was signed.
Definition
"The balance of power" in history refers to a situation where different nations or groups possess relatively equal strength, preventing any one from dominating others. This equilibrium helps maintain peace and stability by discouraging aggression or unilateral actions.
Etymology
The phrase "the balance of power" originates from political and diplomatic language, especially prominent in European history during the 17th and 18th centuries. It reflects the idea of weighing forces against each other, much like a physical balance scale, to maintain equilibrium among competing states. Did you know? The concept was crucial in shaping alliances and treaties to avoid dominance by any single country.
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"The balance of power" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - History - (C1) - set 1", containing 198 commonly used words.
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