Balance of Power Tug-of-War: Teaching Polarity and Stability Through Embodied, Problem-Based Play

The balance of power is one of the most prominent concepts in realist studies of international relations. This paper describes Balance of Power Tug-of-war (BPTW), a physically active/embodied learning method for teaching how polarity and other balance of power concepts relate to systemic stability. BPTW can be deployed as a problem-based learning experience where students design and lead different versions of the game. Evidence from observation, a post-activity survey, and a review of reaction papers indicates that it helps students to better understand and use balance of power concepts. BPTW is a powerful method of conveying key, abstract concepts in an intellectually engaging way.