burden shifting

In international relations, "burden shifting" is a strategy where a nation, particularly a superpower, aims to reduce its own responsibilities by encouraging other states to take over the maintenance of regional power balances and problem-solving. This concept is central to the theory of offshore balancing, which views a multipolar world not as a threat but as an opportunity. Proponents suggest that by delineating spheres of influence and pledging noninterference, great powers can dampen backlash against hegemony and encourage cooperation. This approach seeks to shift the responsibility for security and stability onto other nations, thereby preserving the superpower's relative power.1