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Definition of balance of power noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

balance of power

noun
 
/ˌbæləns əv ˈpaʊə(r)/
 
/ˌbæləns əv ˈpaʊər/
[singular]
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  1. the way in which political or military strength is divided between two or more countries or groups
    • a commitment to maintaining the balance of power in Europe
    • There was a dramatic shift in the balance of power.
    • the balance of power between A and B the changing balance of power between the working and middle class
    Collocations International relationsInternational relationsTrade
    • facilitate/​regulate trade (with other countries)
    • form/​join a trading bloc
    • live in/​compete in a global/​the world economy
    • support/​promote free trade
    • adopt/​call for/​oppose protectionist measures
    • erect/​impose/​reduce/​remove trade barriers
    • impose/​lift/​raise/​eliminate import tariffs (on something)
    • have/​run a huge/​large/​growing trade surplus/​deficit
    • embrace/​resist/​drive globalization
    Politics and law
    • conduct/​handle/​talk about/​discuss foreign policy
    • pursue an aggressive/​a hawkish foreign policy
    • require/​use/​conduct diplomacy
    • establish/​break off/​sever/​restore diplomatic relations
    • foster/​promote/​strengthen regional cooperation
    • facilitate/​achieve economic/​political integration
    • exercise/​defend/​protect/​transfer/​restore/​regain national/​state/​full/​limited sovereignty
    • consolidate/​extend/​lose/​retain your power (in the region)
    • hold/​maintain/​change/​alter/​shift/​be a shift in the balance of power (in the region)
    • cause/​create/​open/​expose/​heal/​repair a deep/​growing/​major/​serious rift between X and Y
    Meetings and agreements
    • have/​hold/​host/​attend an international conference/​an economic forum/​a summit meeting
    • launch a new round of global/​multilateral/​world trade negotiations
    • send/​head/​lead/​meet a high-level/​an official/​a trade delegation
    • begin/​start/​continue/​resume peace talks
    • be committed to/​be opposed to/​disrupt/​undermine/​derail/​sabotage the peace process
    • negotiate/​achieve a lasting political settlement
    • broker/​sign a peace deal/​agreement/​treaty
    Conflict
    • be/​constitute/​pose a threat to global security
    • compromise/​endanger/​protect national security
    • justify/​be in favour of/ (US English) be in favor of/​be against military intervention
    • threaten/​authorize/​launch/​take/​support/​oppose unilateral/​pre-emptive military action
    • impose/​enforce/​lift/​end economic sanctions/​an arms embargo/​a naval blockade
    • close/​protect/​secure/​patrol the border
    • lead/​be involved in a peacekeeping operation
    Aid
    • negotiate/​announce a $15 billion aid package/​an economic stimulus package
    • send/​provide/​request/​cut off military aid
    • bring/​provide emergency/​humanitarian relief
    • deliver/​distribute medical supplies/(British English) food parcels/(North American English)food packages
    • fund/​run a foreign/​a local/​an international NGO
    • reduce/​eradicate child/​global/​world poverty
    Topics Politicsc2
  2. the power held by a small group which can give its support to either of two larger and equally strong groups
    • With 18% of the votes, the Green Party now holds the balance of power in the national assembly.
    • Who holds the balance of power in this relationship?
    Topics Politicsc2
See balance of power in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee balance of power in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
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noun
 
 
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