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A diplomatic method adopted by big powers in pursuit of hegemony. "Balance of power" is an objective reflection of the power comparison between opposing powers or groups that do not have an advantage. Equilibrium diplomacy is a product of the capitalist system, and it was gradually formed on the basis of the European nation-states competing for continental and maritime hegemony in the 16th century. The earliest such policy was implemented by the United Kingdom. At the beginning of the 16th century, British Chief Minister T. Wolsey supported Spain to fight against France, but when Spain gained the advantage over Europe, it turned to France.

Balance of power diplomacy

A method adopted by great powers in pursuit of hegemony

1. Balance of power diplomacy: a diplomatic method adopted by big powers in order to seek hegemony. "Balance of power" is a countermeasure between the opposing powers or groups

For example, held from October 1814 to June 1815

KWNLvon Metternich and O.von Bismarck were the representatives of the 19th-century implementation of balanced diplomacy. Metternich is based on a strong Central Europe, unites the United Kingdom, unites Prussia, and is ready to leave Russia. The goal is to establish Austria's hegemony in Central Europe. In order to isolate France and prevent two-line battles, Bismarck's balance of power structure was a patchwork of the German, Russian, and Austrian alliances. Balance of power diplomacy can only be used for large countries with strong power. Small and weak countries are often the bargaining chips for powers. For example, at the Vienna Conference held from October 1814 to June 1815, Poland and Saxony became victims of the "compensation principle" of the great powers. Balance of power diplomacy is not synonymous with peaceful diplomacy. In order to seek a balance of power that is beneficial to themselves, sometimes large countries resort to force; balance of power diplomacy serves the power politics of large powers in an attempt to weaken each other and strengthen themselves, resulting in a comparison of international strengths that are in their favor. To achieve its hegemonic status.

The balance of power is an interesting topic in international relations. What is balance of power? British Encyclopedia

After the baptism of the Industrial Revolution, Britain established a monopoly position in production and financial trade in the capitalist world, becoming the most developed and richest country in the capitalist world in the nineteenth century. Britain became "the factory of the world". In 1848 Britain's pig iron output reached 2 million tons, more than the rest of the world combined. By 1860 Britain, which accounted for 2% of the world's population and 10% of the European population, produced 40%-50% of the world's industrial products, and 55%-60% of the European industrial products. Material support is impossible. Britain, as the factory of the world during this period, relied very little on the world.

Britain has an unparalleled naval power and established a huge colonial empire. Since Britain defeated Spain's invincible fleet in 1588 to establish maritime hegemony, sea power has become one of the pillars of British existence. In the 17th-century British-Dutch war, Britain defeated the Netherlands, known as the sea coachman. In the 19th century, France defeated France, the most powerful rival for maritime hegemony, and no country can challenge British maritime control ever since.

The superiority of the British geographical environment. Britain is a European country, but the English Channel and Dover Channel separate it from the European continent, and it can protect itself by virtue of the ocean. The geographical component enables it to have full freedom of movement, advancing to control the European balance of power, and retreating to its homeland.

There is a balance of power in Europe in favour of Britain. After the establishment of the balance of power among the top five in Vienna and the conference, Europe has been relatively stable for a long time. Austrian Prime Minister Metternich pursues a policy of balance in continental Europe. Since the 18th century, the unified Germany has broken the balance between the great powers. Bismarck has carefully woven the alliance and vigorously implemented military diplomacy. The combination of the European Union countries has turned into a possibility for the United Kingdom to use the contradictions between the powers to manipulate European balance of power.

The main features of military diplomacy in the 19th century were: 1. Manipulating the European balance of power with a "non-intervention" and "brilliant isolation" policy became more apparent in the later period. 2 Britain's strategic focus is to strengthen and expand maritime and colonial hegemony. From 1815 to 1865, the British Empire expanded at a rate of 100,000 square miles per year. 1838-1842 Britain wages a war on Afghanistan. In 1839 Britain occupied Aden as an important naval base in the Indian Ocean. During the Sino-British War, Britain seized Hong Kong as a commercial and military base in the Far East, forcing China to open its business. Britain annexed New Zealand in 1840, and quickly moved to Australia for immigration and development. In the last 25 years of the 19th century, the land of the British Empire increased by more than 4 million square miles, and the number of residents increased by 90 million.

Maintaining European parity and expanding maritime and colonial hegemony are mutually reinforcing. A politician in the 1860s said: "Under the current situation in Europe, it is the colonial trade and the maritime forces formed that determine the balance of power on the European continent." Maintaining the continental balance of power serves the purpose of expanding maritime hegemony, which in turn guarantees the promotion of British manipulation of European balance of power. The ultimate goal of British military diplomacy was to establish maritime and colonial hegemony. The starting point of Britain's balance of power foreign policy is Britain's own interests, as Palmerston said in explaining British foreign policy: "We have no permanent friends, we have no permanent enemies, only our interests are eternal. These benefits are what we should follow and pursue. " Palmerston's interest here is Britain's maritime hegemony and colonial interests, so the essence of British balance of power diplomacy is hegemony.

Britain's balanced foreign policy is conducive to its own development, ensuring its own security and creating conditions for overseas expansion. By 1914, the British colonial empire had controlled one-fifth of the continental area and one-fourth of the world's population. Objectively, it has also promoted stability in Europe. But Britain's changing allies have also caused turmoil in Europe. Weak countries suffer even more. For example, at the Vienna Conference, the British advocated the division of Saxony, Germany, Italy, etc. in order to maintain balance. Later, China was divided up in the name of equilibrium.

Through the investigation and analysis of British parity outside the United Kingdom in the 19th century, I have some knowledge in combination with reality. The balance of power between nations is conducive to maintaining peace. Once the matador's balance of power between nations changes, the balance of power is broken, so the balance of power is relative and short-lived. The fundamental goal of balance of power diplomacy is not to maintain balance of power, but to pursue its own interests. For the powerful western capitalist countries, it is hegemony, and for the weak and small countries, it is maintaining national security and independence, and maintaining peace. In recent years, the international situation has developed towards multipolarity. Balance of power diplomacy is also of significance to China. China should pursue multi-faceted diplomatic relations, rather than confine itself to a certain aspect, in order to obtain a greater margin of restriction and balance. Of course, this is qualitatively different from Britain's balanced diplomacy. We oppose hegemony. Maintain peace.