Explaining alliance persistence requires nonrealist unit-level theory.

Evidence

To understand in a generalizable way NATO’s persistence after the cold war, we must therefore turn to nonrealist arguments. Neorealist theory about alliances is limited by its inattention to variations in the density and depth of alliance structures and processes and its lack of attention to the internal dynamics of states comprising alliances. Since policymakers must simultaneously satisfy internal organizational and factional interests as well as external ones, we cannot ignore these unit-level processes. — Robert B. McCalla, NATO’s persistence after the cold war, 16

Categorization

• XREF: Parallel to sociologists of organizations arguing institutions outlive their founding purposes. — connects to: Alliance theory has neglected why alliances persist and what happens when they become obsolete — Robert B. McCalla, NATO’s persistence after the cold war, 31; Realism explains alliance behavior under threat but fails without one. — Robert B. McCalla, NATO’s persistence after the cold war, 157; Alliance theory predicts collapse once threats vanish. — Robert B. McCalla, NATO’s persistence after the cold war, 14 (+8 more)

Broader Connections

• Alliances can persist and expand purposes after their founding enemy disappears #exemplifies (0.88) — Robert B. McCalla, NATO’s persistence after the cold war, 60
• Alliance theory has neglected why alliances persist and what happens when they become obsolete #corroborates (0.85) — Robert B. McCalla, NATO’s persistence after the cold war, 31
• Deeply institutionalized alliances outlast ad hoc ones against realist expectations #exemplifies (0.85) — Robert B. McCalla, NATO’s persistence after the cold war, 161
• Realism explains alliance behavior under threat but fails without one. #expands (0.82) — Robert B. McCalla, NATO’s persistence after the cold war, 157
• Both realism and institutionalism ignore the domestic prerequisites of alliance costs #corroborates (0.80) — Robert B. McCalla, NATO’s persistence after the cold war, 139
• Alliance cohesion rises and falls with the external threat it balances #contradicts (0.80) — Robert B. McCalla, NATO’s persistence after the cold war, 36
• Alliance theory predicts collapse once threats vanish. #corroborates (0.78) — Robert B. McCalla, NATO’s persistence after the cold war, 14
• Cross-civilizational alliances persist from inertia and balance-of-power need #complicates (0.75)
• Theories predicting alliance demise need testable time frames for their claims. #qualifies (0.72) — Robert B. McCalla, NATO’s persistence after the cold war, 45