Lectures March 2nd and 4th

Alliances

Commitments by states to cooperate on security policy, typically forming when states have compatible interests in military cooperation

Institutions

A category that includes alliances, which can alter bargaining dynamics between states

Asymmetrical Alliance

A partnership where a powerful state commits to defending a weaker state, such as the relationship between the United States and South Korea

Offensive Alliance

An agreement between states to join together to attack a third party, such as the Axis powers in World War II

Defensive Alliance

An agreement where states pledge to defend one another if attacked

Entrapment

A risk where an emboldened ally drags its protector into a conflict.

Balance of Power

A situation where the military capabilities of two states or groups are roughly equal, meaning neither has a clear advantage

Balancing

The act of states joining together to counter a powerful state

Bandwagoning

When states join with a powerful state, often for gains or due to a threat from a weaker state

Credibility

In an alliance, this depends on increasing the likelihood (and the adversary's belief) that allies will fight on each other's behalf

Collective Security Organizations (CSOs)

Organizations formed around a common interest that all states are presumed to share, such as the prevention of war and aggression

Public Good

Collective security is viewed as a public good where "an attack on one is an attack against all"

Free Rider Problem

A challenge where collective security is undersupplied because states seek to avoid the costs of intervention while benefiting from the peace provided by others

Joint Decision-Making Problem

The difficulty in determining which specific actions constitute a threat to the community

Peacekeeping

The act of sending monitors to serve as a buffer between belligerents; this requires the consent of the combatants

Responsibility to Protect (R2P)

The international responsibility to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity

Bargaining Model Failures

Wars may occur due to incomplete information, commitment problems, or issue indivisibility

Wagging the Dog / Gambling for Resurrection

Terms describing leaders who may initiate or prolong a conflict to serve domestic political interests or stay in power.

Anarchy

The lack of a central enforcement power in the international system, which makes it difficult to prevent or punish aggression