How do alliances and coalitions help states pursue power and security?

In international relations, states utilize alliances and coalitions to aggregate their strengths, allowing them to achieve shared goals—such as security and power—that would be unattainable individually.1

Alliances

An alliance is a formal, typically medium-term agreement between states for mutual support, particularly in the event of war. These arrangements are fundamental to maintaining a balance of power; by joining forces, states prevent any single power from establishing hegemony. Historically, alliances have served as defensive mechanisms, obligating members to act if one is attacked. While they can provide security, they also carry risks; in a polarized system, conflicts between members of opposing blocs can escalate into general war.12

Coalitions

A coalition is a more temporary, goal-oriented group of actors. Unlike the more robust and enduring nature of alliances, coalitions are often formed to address specific, immediate objectives. They allow states to coordinate behavior and pool resources to achieve a common outcome, such as prosecuting a war or managing a crisis.12

Both structures reflect the international system's power dynamics, where states seek to navigate an anarchic environment by modifying their interests and policies through cooperation.3