2.3 - Alliances + Global Action

Question 1

What are examples of military alliances?

Answer 1

• ANZUS (Australia, N Zealand, US)
• NATO

Question 2

What are examples of economic alliances?

Answer 2

• USMCA
• EU

Question 3

What are examples of Strategic alliances?

Answer 3

• SCO, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
  
  • cooperation beyond military or economic cooperation
  • eg. Technology sharing, cultural exchange, environmental protection

Question 4

What does the SCO cooperate on?

Answer 4

• counter-terrorism
• cyber warfare
• military exercises
• culture
• economy

Question 5

Why is NATO a strong alliance?

Answer 5

• all 28 members make majority of global firepower
• cover a large areal extent, means that they have a good global presence
• are bound by charter to protect any member if they are threatened

Question 6

What is special about the EU?

Answer 6

• most members use common currency
• has legislation and standards that are common to all members
• are enforced extremely well by members, enough to pose a threat to TNCs
  
  • forced Apple to reform App Store and e-waste commitments

Question 7

What notable things has NATO done?

Answer 7

• installed Patriot missiles in Turkey in 2015
  
  • to respond to increased risk in Middle East
• trained Afghan security forces during transition to self rule

Question 8

What is ASEAN?

Answer 8

• Association of South East Asian Nations
  
  • formed a single market in 2016
  • has separate free trade agreements with Australia and N Zealand

Question 9

What is ASEAN?

Answer 9

• Association of South East Asian Nations
  
  • formed a single market in 2016
  • has separate free trade agreements with Australia and N Zealand

Question 10

What are advantages of alliances?

Answer 10

• world is increasingly authoritarian
  
  • security is ensured by alliances as a more united front is present in front of authoritarian regimes
  • acts as a deterrent
• cyber warfare is going to be important
  
  • thus is important to share as much knowledge with aligned countries to ensure mutual stability

Question 11

What are the downsides of alliances?

Answer 11

• member countries may not be contributing as much as some others to collective funds (eg. Defence funds)
• members may feel as if their voices are not heard eg. Trump felt that European countries were too pro Iran when lifting sanctions
• attitudes of members can change between leaders eg. Trump and pro Russia position after Obama
  
  • can create fractures and undermine other countries