The origins of alliances / Stephen M. Walt.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Walt, Stephen M., 1955-

Series:

Cornell Studies in Security Affairs Series

Cornell Studies in Security Affairs

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Alliances.

International relations.

Middle East--Foreign relations.

Middle East.

Middle East--Politics and government--1945-.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xii, 321 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Ithaca : Cornell University Press, 1987.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

How are alliances made? In this book, Stephen M. Walt makes a significant contribution to this topic, surveying theories of the origins of international alliances and identifying the most important causes of security cooperation between states. In addition, he proposes a fundamental change in the present conceptions of alliance systems. Contrary to traditional balance-of-power theories, Walt shows that states form alliances not simply to balance power but in order to balance threats. Walt begins by outlining five general hypotheses about the causes of alliances. Drawing upon diplomatic history and a detailed study of alliance formation in the Middle East between 1955 and 1979, he demonstrates that states are more likely to join together against threats than they are to ally themselves with threatening powers. Walt also examines the impact of ideology on alliance preferences and the role of foreign aid and transnational penetration. His analysis show, however, that these motives for alignment are relatively less important. In his conclusion, he examines the implications of "balance of threat" for U.S. foreign policy.

Contents:

Front matter

Contents

Preface to the Paperback Edition

Preface

1. Introduction: Exploring Alliance Formation

2. Explaining Alliance Formation

3. From the Baghdad Pact to the Six Day War

4. From the Six Day War to the Camp David Accords

5. Balancing and Bandwagoning

6. Ideology and Alliance Formation

7. The Instruments of Alliance: Aid and Penetration

8. Conclusion.: Alliance Formation and the Balance of World Power

APPENDIX 1: Alliances and Alignments in the Middle East, 1 955 - 1 979

APPENDIX 2: The Balance of World Power

Bibliography

Index

Notes:

First printing, Cornell Paperbacks, 1990.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 293-309) and index.

ISBN:

9780801469985

0801469988

9781322522944

1322522944

9780801469992

0801469996

OCLC:

859159212