When and why do states co-operate? With the institution of sovereignty and state-hood, states can co-operate politically, militarily and economically. Each three ways of co-operation provide states with mutual benefits. At the minimum, a state will comply and co-operate to avoid conflict. The main purpose political co-operation is too resolve crisis diplomatically and without the use of force. Political co-operation creates a dialogue between nations to understand cultures and find mutually beneficial means of engaging in international affairs. Political co-operation has led to the rise of political institutions such as the United Nations. Thus, political co-operation is used to maintained peace and security. Military co-operation is used to avoid conflicts between states and too secure one another’s interests. This is highlighted during the Cold War where the US and Soviet Union each developed their own ideological factions NATO and the WARSAW PACT. Economic Co-operation occurs through trade. With the fall of the Soviet Union, and the rise of capitalist markets, economic trade has become extremely influential and has given greater power to individual states to increase their global influence and infrastructure. States have used economic trade and co-operation in developing institutions such as the European Union, the African Union among others. Consequently, the purpose of this essay will be to extensively evaluate each reason why a state would be inclined to form an alliance, while providing historical analysis and examples of such forms of co-operation. Reasons for state co-operation : Why: stag hunt 2-2 largest payoff for both – co-ordination game- international institutions UN show what each state is planning to do-reveal what each state is looking to do. prison dilemma Political co-operation: Examples League of Nations United Nations find ways to resolve issues without resulting in war – goals for peace and security Economic trade: Why: promote economic development and co-operation to benefit each states infrastructure. examples EU – European Union AU – African Union Commonwealth of Nations provide real exam of co-operation Military Co-operation Why: prevent war, secure interests Examples POST WWII COLD WAR US v U.S.S.R both created alliances to maintain power within Europe NATO v WARSAW PACT Capitalism v Communism COLD WAR WAR: division of world into military alliances resulted from the emergence of the US and Soviet Union becoming the superpower states of the world Military Co-operation In Europe NATO : objective to stop communism being spread by the soviet union WARSAW PACT :Objective provide soviet union a buffer zone of allied states between it and Germany to discourage a third German invasion in the 20th century Disbanded: once Europe was no longer dominated by military confrontation between two blocs NATO AND WARSAW PACT were designed to maintain a bipolar balance of power in the world in terms of military, economy and ideology (CAPITALISM V COMMUNISM) Economic Trade: EU: founded 1958 heal from scars of worldwar two - 21st century – expanded- formed into economic and policial co-operation individual nations to focus their development by co-operating, some argue they are giving up sovenerighty in exchange for such co-operation Eurozone- integrating nations to regional orgs European Central Bank – setting interest rates minimising inflation throughout Europe sets rules states have to follow- limits self-determination Council for mutual economic assistance COMECON promote trade and sharing of natural resources help communist countries survive