What term refers to the situation where superpowers maintain similar military capabilities to prevent dominance by one over the other?

The correct answer is the term that reflects the idea of power dynamics in international relations, particularly among superpowers. The balance of power refers to a condition in which countries have roughly equal strength, preventing any one nation from becoming too powerful and dominating others. This concept is fundamental in understanding how countries interact within the context of military and political strategy.

By maintaining a balance of power, nations can deter aggression and promote stability because the costs of conflict outweigh the benefits for any superpower contemplating expansion or war. This framework illustrates how nations respond to each other's military capabilities and ensure that power dynamics remain equitable to promote international security.

The other terms have specific meanings but do not encapsulate the broader concept of power relations as effectively. Military parity refers specifically to having equal military capabilities, while strategic stability suggests a more focused context of deterrence strategies rather than the general state of relations between superpowers. Equilibrium of forces, although somewhat similar, is less commonly used in this context compared to balance of power.