Balance of Power & Global Stability MCQs with Answers
What is the concept of “balance of power” in international relations?
A) The idea that global stability is achieved when all states have equal military power
B) The distribution of military and economic power among states to prevent one state from becoming too dominant
C) The use of military force by powerful states to dominate weaker ones
D) The strategy of forming alliances to weaken global trade agreements
Which of the following is a key feature of a balance of power system?
A) The establishment of a global government to regulate state behavior
B) Equal distribution of wealth among all nations
C) States form alliances to counterbalance the power of others
D) The complete absence of international conflicts
In the context of the balance of power theory, what is “global stability”?
A) The absence of war between all nations
B) The equality of military strength among states
C) A condition in which no state is able to dominate others, maintaining equilibrium
D) The establishment of universal human rights across borders
What does the “balance of power” theory suggest about the potential for war?
A) War is inevitable when power is evenly distributed among states
B) War is less likely when power is distributed in a balanced way
C) War occurs only when one state becomes too powerful
D) War cannot occur in a balance of power system
Which of the following is an example of a balance of power strategy?
A) A state increasing its military capacity to overpower its rivals
B) Forming alliances to counteract the influence of a powerful state
C) Reducing military spending to promote peace
D) Imposing sanctions to weaken an opponent’s economy
What is the primary aim of the balance of power in global politics?
A) To ensure economic dominance for all states
B) To prevent any single state from achieving overwhelming dominance
C) To create a unified global government
D) To establish universal peace treaties among states
Which of the following best explains the concept of “hegemonic stability theory”?
A) The idea that a single, powerful state can create global stability by dominating international relations
B) The belief that power should be equally distributed among all states
C) The notion that all states must collaborate to maintain global peace
D) The strategy of balancing power through economic treaties rather than military force
What is a “multipolar” world in terms of the balance of power?
A) A world where one state has complete military dominance
B) A world where two major powers compete for global influence
C) A world where power is distributed among several states, preventing any one state from dominating
D) A world where economic factors are the main determinant of power
Which of the following is a criticism of the balance of power theory?
A) It often leads to totalitarian regimes controlling global politics
B) It ignores the importance of economic and social factors in international relations
C) It results in the over-reliance on military power
D) It assumes that all states act rationally in their pursuit of power
What is the impact of alliances on the balance of power?
A) Alliances have no impact on the balance of power
B) Alliances can shift the distribution of power, creating a counterbalance to stronger states
C) Alliances always lead to global wars
D) Alliances are formed to isolate weaker states from global decisions
Which type of global system does the balance of power theory best describe?
A) A system with one dominant superpower
B) A system with several competing great powers
C) A system with complete equality among all states
D) A system with no military conflicts or alliances
Which of the following is an example of a balance of power adjustment?
A) A state unilaterally increasing its military capabilities
B) States creating economic sanctions to limit another state’s growth
C) A weaker state aligning with a more powerful state to increase security
D) A state withdrawing from all international agreements
What role does diplomacy play in maintaining the balance of power?
A) Diplomacy ensures that military conflicts never occur
B) Diplomacy enables states to negotiate power-sharing agreements and manage conflicts
C) Diplomacy solely aims to promote trade deals between states
D) Diplomacy is irrelevant to the balance of power system
What is a “bipolar” system in international relations?
A) A world with multiple competing states
B) A world dominated by two rival superpowers
C) A world where power is equally distributed among all states
D) A world with a single state in control of all global decisions
Which of the following is true about global stability under the balance of power system?
A) Global stability is guaranteed as long as all states maintain equal military power
B) Global stability is maintained by preventing any one state from achieving hegemony
C) Global stability occurs only when military conflicts are avoided at all costs
D) Global stability results in complete peace and the absence of conflict
What does the balance of power theory suggest about the role of weaker states?
A) Weaker states should never form alliances with stronger states
B) Weaker states must always remain neutral in international conflicts
C) Weaker states may seek alliances with stronger states to prevent domination
D) Weaker states should focus solely on domestic development
What is the primary goal of a state pursuing a balance of power strategy?
A) To engage in constant military conflict with rival states
B) To increase its global influence at the expense of others
C) To prevent any single state from achieving overwhelming dominance
D) To eliminate all forms of military alliances
In the balance of power theory, what is the likely outcome if one state becomes too powerful?
A) The global balance will be maintained, and no action will be necessary
B) The state will dominate the global political landscape without resistance
C) Other states will form alliances to counterbalance the dominant state’s power
D) The dominant state will disband all international organizations
What is “power transition theory”?
A) The idea that power is always distributed equally among states
B) The belief that the world order is stable as long as one state is powerful
C) The theory that major power shifts lead to conflicts and wars
D) The idea that weaker states can never achieve global influence
Which of the following would most likely destabilize the balance of power?
A) The formation of multiple military alliances
B) The rise of a new military power that challenges existing powers
C) The establishment of trade agreements between neighboring states
D) The agreement to reduce military spending across all states
How does the balance of power theory explain the outbreak of war?
A) War is unavoidable in a balance of power system
B) War occurs when the balance of power is disturbed and one state seeks to dominate others
C) War results when all states are equally powerful
D) War is unlikely because all states cooperate in preventing conflicts
What role does military power play in the balance of power?
A) Military power is irrelevant in balancing power between states
B) Military power is used by weaker states to gain economic dominance
C) Military power is a key component in maintaining the balance by deterring aggression
D) Military power is only used for internal state security and not for international relations
What is the relationship between the balance of power and alliances in international relations?
A) Alliances weaken the balance of power by concentrating too much power in one group
B) Alliances are formed to maintain the balance of power by countering stronger states
C) Alliances are irrelevant to the balance of power system
D) Alliances are only created when global peace is guaranteed