International alliance refers to formal agreements between states that bind them to cooperate in military, diplomatic and economic ways. Alliances of states may be primarily military in nature (eg NATO) or political unions like the European Union, or they might involve cooperation in areas such as resource alliances or culture. Most alliances of states pursue objectives in multiple areas.
The most widely accepted explanation for why countries seek alliances is that they help them achieve national security goals in the face of a common threat or opportunity. This view of the motives behind alliances has become an essential part of the realism school of thought in world politics.
While this explanation has dominated debates about the origins and purposes of alliances, it is not the only one. A more sophisticated analysis suggests that alliances are also a tool for managing competition between powerful nations, a competition that can be used to shape the global order and promote peace and prosperity.
In this week’s Current Event, we look at some major international alliances – from Russia’s entry into the conflict over Ukraine to the USA’s strained relationship with Taiwan. We also offer an Evaluating a Source lesson that asks students to analyze a video on the ‘Liberal World Order’ for accuracy, tone and other important tools of media literacy.
Building on a GMF report that coined the term “global swing states,” this publication presents innovative research and concrete recommendations for shaping future alliances. Using a unique coding system, the analysis explores a country’s preferences for cooperation with the United States, Europe, China and Russia and identifies whether it is in a position to shift its allegiance.