POL208Y5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Anzus, Bandwagoning, Public Good
Document Summary
Defense in exchange for basing rights): alliances can form given common interests in security and fear of domination. Germany and soviets in 1939 stalin joined the stronger state to divide poland. Cold war competition between ussr and us (warsaw pact & nato: alliances can also form given common interests in potential gains. Bandwagoning: when losing or weak states throw in their lot with strong or more powerful states, alliances also entail costs. Commitment of blood and treasure to defend another state. Must be upheld to be credible, even if defeat is likely. Limits freedom (consultation necessary before taking action) Incentives to try to trick an opponent that alliance is very strong and defence is certain. Do alliances work: states in defensive alliances less likely to be targeted by militarized action, the failures of alliances to keep the peace during the first half of the twentieth century.