The Balance of Power during the Cold War

The concept of 'balance of power is an important consideration in the analysis of the cold war which in theory was successful in avoiding any global conflict during the years 1945-1989. It was an ideologically based concept; communism versus democracy, USSR and its allies versus USA and its allies. Balance of power speaks to a situation in which peace is ensured by maintaining equilibrium of alliances between major powers. This equilibrium places checks and balances …

…U.S.S.R. from initiating war. A nation state will not initiate aggression if it is convinced that the costs of an action (militarily, the destructive consequences of conflict) outweigh the benefits of achieving the desired national goal. The balance of power was achieved through military alliances, territorial (spheres of influence) and military capability. Although peace was achieved during the cold war period regional conflicts occurred which at times created global tension and instability.