Klemens von Metternich

Definition

An Austrian diplomat who played a central role at the Congress of Vienna (1814-15), where he championed the balance of power and conservatism to maintain stability in Europe.

Analogy

Metternich is like a conductor of an orchestra, ensuring all parts (European nations) play together harmoniously to prevent any one instrument (nation) from overpowering the others and causing discord.

Related terms

Balance of Power: A concept in international relations that suggests national security is enhanced when military capability is distributed so that no one state is strong enough to dominate all others.

Diplomacy: The practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of states or groups. It involves persuasion, negotiation, and compromise.

Carlsbad Decrees (1819): A set of restrictive laws introduced in the German Confederation at Metternich's instigation following a period of liberal and nationalist agitation.