In realist theories of international relations, balancing is a term for joining a weaker coalition to counter the influence or power of a stronger coalition. The term is derived from balance of power. Balancing is opposed to bandwagoning, which unlike balancing is a relatively new term.

Balancing occurs when weaker states decide that the dominance and influence of a stronger state or states is unacceptable, and that the costs of allowing the stronger states to continue their policies unchecked is greater than the cost of not opposing the stronger states.