A peace plan succeeds only when it matches the local balance of power.

Evidence

Finally, in clear contrast to an organizational perspective, it would not be outside of the realm of institutionalist theory for NATO member states to conclude that NATO, or various parts and functions, had served its function and was no longer needed. We need not predict that NATO will die—the international institutionalist perspective is silent in this regard; what we do predict is that when member states no longer value what the alliance does, little will prevent those wishes from resulting in the alliance’s death. The demise of NATO’s nuclear infrastructure illustrates this scenario: a powerful organizational actor has been weakened because it served the broader needs of NATO members to do so. The organization and the alliance per se are not the critical issue here—the benefits that come from each are. — Robert B. McCalla, NATO’s persistence after the cold war, 133 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Aggressors with impunity lack incentive to accept peace plans — Michael A. Sells, The Bridge Betrayed: Religion and…, 597; Weak local forces can succeed when international conditions favor them; Permanent revolution succeeds only when grounded in a particular society’s concrete historical relations. — Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks, 488 (+9 more)

Broader Connections

• Weak local forces can succeed when international conditions favor them #complicates (0.72)
• An institutionalist view holds alliances survive only while states value their benefits. #complicates (0.72) — Robert B. McCalla, NATO’s persistence after the cold war, 133