Alliance Theory: Balancing, Bandwagoning, and Détente

Stephen M. Walt’s “balance-of-threat” theory of alliance formation (1988) is examined as a focus theory. Walt’s theory is compared with a Kenneth A. Waltz’s “balance-of-power” as a supporting theory (1979), and supporting evidence for the focus theory is presented. Then, Walt’s theory is compared with Randall L. Schweller’s “balance-of-interests” as an opposing theory (1994), and supporting evidence for the opposing theory is presented.