Exactly to a WWs mentality. Before those wars[1] the mentality (at least for continental europe) was balance-of-power (with a brief interlude during which Napoleon tried to export revolution[2]).

... δυνατὰ δὲ οἱ προύχοντες πράσσουσι καὶ οἱ ἀσθενεῖς ξυγχωροῦσιν.[3]

[1] In another few centuries they'll probably be lumped together as the 31 years war or something.

[2] not all of which was bad. Afterwards, unlike the Bourbons, my country kept the best changes (e.g. the law code) and got rid of the worst (e.g. the french running things).

[3] If JFK were alive today, I bet he'd have half a mind to call these sanctions a dick move.