The balance of power is one of the most influential ideas in international relations. This book systemically and comprehensively examines the balance of power in pre-modern or non-European contexts. It includes eight case studies of balancing and balancing failure in pre-modern and non-European international systems.

The balance of power is one of the most influential ideas in international relations, yet it has never been systemically and comprehensively examined in pre-modern or non-European contexts. This book redresses this imbalance. The authors present eight new case studies of balancing and balancing failure in pre-modern and non-European international systems. The collective, multidisciplinary and international research effort yields an inescapable conclusion: much of the conventional wisdom about the balance of power does not survive intact with non-European evidence.

Introduction: Balance and Hierarchy in International Systems
S.J.Kaufman, R.Little &
W.C.Wohlforth - Balancing and Balancing Failure in Biblical Times: Assyria and the Ancient Middle Eastern System 900-600 BCE
S.J.Kaufman &
W.C.Wohlforth - The Greek City States in the Fifth Century BCE: Persia and the Balance of Power
R.Little - Intra-Greek Balancing, the Mediterranean Crisis of
ca. 201-200 B.C., and the Rise of Rome
A.M.Eckstein
- The Forest and the King of Beasts: Hierarchy and Opposition in Ancient India (c.500 - c.232 BCE)
W.J.Brenner - The Triumph of Domination in the Ancient Chinese System
V.Tin-bor Hui - 'A Republic for Expansion': The Roman Constitution and Empire and Balance of Power Theory
D.Deudney - Hierarchy and Resistance in the American State-Systems, 1400-1800 CE
C.Jones - Stability and Hierarchy in East Asian International Relations, 1300 to 1900CE
D.C.Kang - Conclusion: Theoretical Insights from the Study of World History
S.J.Kaufman, R.Little &
W.C.Wohlforth