The failure of the balance of power: warring states Japan, 1467-1590

Contrary to the predictions of balance of power theory that the balancing mechanism prevents the emergence of hegemonies in anarchic systems, and contrary to the absence of hegemony in the European system for the last five centuries, hegemonies have sometimes been established in non-Western historical systems. According to balance of power theory, when one state begins to seek domination, other states balance against the domination seeker to preserve their autonomy. However, scholars have noted how balance of power theory has rarely been tested outside of the European and modern international contexts. English School scholars who have traced the development of the balance of power concept from its origins in Renaissance Italy to the 19th century Concert of Europe have found little evidence that the balance of power concept was known or understood outside of Europe. While the balance of power was well-known by Europeans and widely applied to the practice of European diplomacy, it was virtually unknown outside of Europe. In the absence of knowledge of the balance of power concept, can states prevent the creation of hegemonies through balancing? This project finds that while actors naturally try to balance domination seekers individually, they will find it difficult to form effective, collective balancing coalitions without knowledge of the balance of power concept. The project's argument is qualitatively tested with the Warring States Japan, 1467 to 1590. Warring States Japan is well suited as a case to test international relations theory. During this period, Japan was an anarchic system of independent, feudal domains ruled over by warlords who ruled them like miniature states. Japan was isolated from the rest of the world during this period so there was no external pressure on the warlords' decision making. For approximately 100 years after 1467, the system experienced a balance of power, as no warlord rose to create a hegemonic order. Then, from 1568 to 1590, Japan was unified by two warlords, Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. This project studies the nature of the balance that existed before unification and the balancing efforts of the warlords in reaction to the unification process.Ph.D.Includes abstractVitaIncludes bibliographical referencesby Philip A. Streic