Partners in Peace and War: Theories of Alliance Formation and the Prospects of a Russia-China Alliance Explored

<p>This thesis explores the various, predominately realist-centric theories on why states form military alliances. Taking a theoretical overview of balance-of-power and balance-of-threat theories, the thesis looks at their application for two major powers that have a checkered history with each other, Russia and China, and determines the reasons for a potential alliance between them. Additionally, since this proposed alliance has implications for the United States, an overview of American strategies to counteract the Russo-Sino alliance is necessary. The prospect of a Russo-Sino alliance has drastic repercussions for the international system, thus making the theories as to why states form or remove themselves from alliances pertinent. The situation currently in the system is unique as it is seen, in the thesis, as a unipolar system transiting to a multipolar system with a clear hegemon.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Defense and Strategic Studies

Year

2011

Author dc:creator

• MacHaffie, James Peter

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dana Johnson

• alliances
• Russia
• China
• Shanghai Cooperation Organization
• balance-of-power
• balance-of-threat
• neorealism
• United States
• Great Powers
• India
• unipolarity
• multipolarity
• Defense and Security Studies

Statement dc:rights

• © James Peter MacHaffie

Repository record dc:identifier

https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/1465

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:bearworks.missouristate.edu:theses-2466