"Wars then are prevented only by a balance of power and military
deterrence..." That perspective is known as the 'realist'
perspective in international relations, and many of the more
well know state actors of the twentieth century were realists in
their foreign policy thinking. Both Hitler AND Nevile
Chamberlain were realists. Chamberlain was a staunch supporter
of British involvement in WWI and was one of the loudest voices
for re-armament in England in the 30s to counter fascism. When
he abandoned this perspective, opting instead for the 'social
constructivist' perspective by appeasing Hitler to prevent WWII,
he instead made the conflict inevitable.