Military Alliances and National Interest: Analysing how the formation and maintenance

of military alliances align with a nation's security interests and the balance of power in

international relations.

Submitted by:

Archisha Dhar

Division D, Batch 2021-26, B.A. LL.B.

PRN: 21010223011

Symbiosis Law School, NOIDA

Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune

In

September 2023

Under the Guidance of

Dr. Waseem Ahmad

Symbiosis Law School NOIDA

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Introduction

National Interest is an amalgamation of those values most prized by a nation—liberty,

freedom, and security. These interests are then expressed through physical survival, economic

prosperity, and political sovereignty. This national interest can further expand and be shaped

by each nation’s subjective preferences. Within political debate, national interest serves as a

policy maker and policy shaper. One of the ways in which policy is influenced is in the field

of military alliances. National interest forms the foundation for strategies of national security

and military, and as a result, is a major driver behind the kinds of military alliances a nation

makes—making it essential for military leaders to be well versed in the field of politics.

National interest is essentially a philosophical argument, where the nation’s own

interest is prioritised as the most moral pursuit of all (Roskin, 1994). The concept gained

even more popularity with the advent of realism, following the Second World War,

exemplified by Morgenthau, who stated that a sound foreign policy is measured by political

success over pure intention (Williams, 2004).

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Research Objectives

1. To analyse the concept of national interest and its evolution in the context of

international relations.

2. To investigate the historical formation and maintenance of significant military

alliances and their alignment with national security interests.

3. To assess the impact of military alliances on the distribution of power in the

international system.

Research Questions

4. How do nations define and prioritize their security interests in the context of

international relations?

5. What factors drive nations to form and maintain military alliances?

6. How do military alliances impact the balance of power in international relations?

7. To what extent do military alliances contribute to or detract from a nation's security

interests?

Research Methodology

The research methodology for this paper shall be doctrinal in nature—utilising

secondary sources such as research papers from journals and book chapters for the same. The

complete list of materials referred to has been provided in the bibliography. Limitations faced

by the researcher in the same include the inability to conduct doctrinal research due to

paucity of time and insufficient materials. As such, independent research could not be

conducted, and the current paper is based only on presently available materials.
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Analysis

Military Alliances throughout World History

The biggest examples of the vital role national interest and its preservation plays in

the formation of military alliances can be seen via the institutions of the North Atlantic Treaty

Organisation (NATO) and the Warsaw Pact. NATO, still enduring today, was formed out of

the very real need for Western Europe to be able to defend itself from threats to territorial

integrity by the Soviet Union. Many Western European nations, devastated by World War II,

saw alignment with the United States as essential to their economic and security interests.

The U.S. possessed significant military and economic power, making it an attractive partner

for nations seeking to rebuild and protect their interests. The Marshall Plan, which provided

financial aid to Western Europe, further underscored the economic dimension of national self-

interest and strengthened the ties that would culminate in NATO's formation (Rupp, 2006).

One of the primary drivers behind NATO's formation was the collective desire of

Western European nations, particularly the United States, to contain the perceived

expansionist ambitions of the Soviet Union. In the aftermath of World War II, the Soviet

Union's increasing influence in Eastern Europe raised concerns about the spread of

communism. The U.S. recognized that safeguarding its own national interest meant

preventing the further Sovietization of Europe. The formation of NATO was viewed as a

means to achieve this objective. NATO's genesis as a military alliance was undeniably rooted

in the national self-interest of its member states—the cornerstone of NATO's mission is

collective defense, embodied in Article 5 of the NATO treaty. This arrangement allowed

nations to pool their resources and capabilities to deter potential aggressors, reinforcing their

individual national self-interests (Kirkpatrick, 1984).

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Contemporary Military Alliances and their Impact

In the Middle East, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) represents a regional

alliance shaped by the national self-interest of its member states, including Saudi Arabia, the

United Arab Emirates, and others. The GCC primarily aims to foster collective security and

economic cooperation within the Gulf region, allowing member nations to protect their

interests and respond to shared challenges such as regional instability and Iran's influence

(Rinna, 2015).

Further east, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), comprising countries

like China, Russia, and several Central Asian states, serves as a security alliance promoting

regional stability and economic development. Member states join SCO to secure their

national interests, counterterrorism, and manage regional security concerns, reflecting the

core role of self-interest in alliance formation (Qureshi, 1982).

These contemporary military alliances underscore the enduring significance of

national self-interest in international relations, as nations come together to address common

challenges and enhance their security in an interconnected world.

Military Alliances and Balance of Power in International Relations

Military alliances play a vital role in creating and maintaining the balance of power in

international relations. These alliances act as strategic mechanisms through which nations can

collectively safeguard their security interests and counter potential threats, thereby

contributing to global stability.

Alliances enhance the military capabilities of member states by pooling resources,

intelligence, and expertise. This collective strength deters aggression and helps maintain

equilibrium in regions where alliances are prevalent. The knowledge that an attack on one

member of the alliance is tantamount to an attack on all reinforces the concept of collective
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security, which further bolsters the balance of power. They also foster cooperation and

diplomacy among member states, reducing the likelihood of conflicts. By creating a

framework for dialogue and dispute resolution, alliances can mitigate tensions and provide

avenues for peaceful negotiations, preventing power imbalances from escalating into

destructive confrontations (Balance of Power, 1884).

Additionally, military alliances encourage transparency and promote trust among

member nations. Through regular military exercises, intelligence sharing, and joint planning,

these alliances foster a sense of predictability in international relations, reducing the chances

of misunderstandings that could lead to power imbalances and conflicts.

They serve as critical mechanisms through which nations collectively safeguard their

security interests and contribute to global stability. Their deterrent effect reduces the

temptation for unilateral military actions that could disrupt the equilibrium of power.

Furthermore, military alliances facilitate the pooling of resources, both military and

economic, which enhances the combined military capabilities of member nations (Walt,

1985). This consolidated strength makes it more challenging for any single nation or external

threat to upset the balance. By offering predictability and stability in an increasingly complex

world, military alliances play a vital role in shaping international relations, promoting

collective security, and ensuring that no single nation or group can dominate the global stage,

thus preserving the delicate equilibrium of power upon which international stability often

depends.
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Conclusion

As such, it is clear to see that the role of national self-interest with regard to military

alliances is a dynamic concept, yet one that has retained its importance throughout the ages.

The above paper has analysed historical as well as contemporary examples of the same, along

with how a nation’s self-interest is tied up with each alliance. The role of such military

alliances in maintaining the balance of power in the field of international politics has also

been discussed.
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Bibliography

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http://www.jstor.org/stable/27891330.

KIRKPATRICK, J. J. (1984). The Atlantic Alliance and the American National Interest.

World Affairs, 147(2), 85–96. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20672015.

Qureshi, Y. (1982). GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL. Pakistan Horizon, 35(4), 84–92.

http://www.jstor.org/stable/41394172.

Rinna, A. V. (2014). The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and Mongolia’s Quest for

Security. Indian Journal of Asian Affairs, 27/28(1/2), 63–80.

http://www.jstor.org/stable/43857992.

Roskin, M. G. (1994). NATIONAL INTEREST: FROM ABSTRACTION TO STRATEGY.

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http://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep11527.

Rupp, R. E. (2006). National Interests and Military Alliances: The Cold War NATO", NATO

After 9/11: An Alliance in Continuing Decline. (pp.23–50). Palgrave Macmillan US.

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Walt, S. M. (1985). Alliance Formation and the Balance of World Power. International

Security, 9(4), 3–43. https://doi.org/10.2307/2538540.

Williams, M. C. (2004). Why ideas matter in international relations: Hans Morgenthau,

classical realism, and the moral construction of power politics. International

Organization, 58(04), 633–65. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0020818304040202.