The Weaker Voice and the Evolution of Asymmetric Alliances

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“Alliances are commonly conceived as tools that major powers use to control weaker partners. From this perspective, then, whether alliances endure or collapse depends on the patron’s will. Andrea Leva challenges this view: while acknowledging the implications of power asymmetry in inter-allied management, the author argues that junior allies may have a critical role in bringing the alliance to an end. Through an elegant five-case comparison, Leva uncovers the mechanisms at play in junior allies’ relations with major partners. By shedding light on a previously underscored phenomenon, this book is an important contribution to the theoretical literature on alliances.”
—Andrea Locatelli, Associate Professor, Università Cattolica, Milan (Italy)

“In a well-argued book, Andrea Leva sheds light on an overlooked area of alliance theory. Contrary to the realist and institutionalist arguments, Leva suggests that junior allies’ quest for autonomy andvoice opportunity can critically affect their security relationship with the patron, even affecting the alliance’s persistence or termination. The book’s model is then applied to several interesting case studies. A must-read for those interested in questioning a simplistic view of asymmetric alliances.”
—Andrea Carati, Associate Professor, Università degli Studi, Milan (Italy)

Military alliances are a constant feature in international politics, and a better understanding of them can directly impact world affairs. This book examines why alliances endure or collapse. As a distinctive feature, it analyses asymmetric alliances focusing on the junior allies’ decision to continue or terminate a military agreement. It deepens our knowledge of alliance cohesion and erosion, investigating the relevance of the weaker side’s preferences and behavior in alliance politics. The author examines the literature on alliance persistence and termination and puts forward a theoretical model that helps interpret historical and contemporary cases in a way that is useful for expert researchers and non-expert readers alike.
Andrea Leva received a Ph.D. from Università degli Studi di Milano Statale, Milan (Italy). He is a Policy Officer of the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance, working on European Affairs.

Military alliances are a constant feature in international politics, and a better understanding of them can directly impact world affairs. This book examines why alliances endure or collapse. As a distinctive feature, it analyses asymmetric alliances focusing on the junior allies’ decision to continue or terminate a military agreement. It deepens our knowledge of alliance cohesion and erosion, investigating the relevance of the weaker side’s preferences and behavior in alliance politics. The author examines the literature on alliance persistence and termination and puts forward a theoretical model that helps interpret historical and contemporary cases in a way that is useful for expert researchers and non-expert readers alike.

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Andrea Leva

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alliance politics asymmetric alliances small states autonomy voice opportunity

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“Alliances are commonly conceived as tools that major powers use to control weaker partners. From this perspective, then, whether alliances endure or collapse depends on the patron’s will. Andrea Leva challenges this view: while acknowledging the implications of power asymmetry in inter-allied management, the author contends that junior allies are not merely subject to their patron’s whims. In fact, they may have a critical role in bringing the alliance to an end. Building on a solid theoretical framework, the book convincingly argues that the main factor guiding small states is their quest for autonomy – or better, how effective they are in making their voice heard. Through an elegant five-case comparison, Leva uncovers the mechanisms at play in junior allies’ relations with major partners. By shedding light on a previously underscored phenomenon, this book is an important contribution to the theoretical literature on alliances.” (—Andrea Locatelli, Associate Professor, Università Cattolica, Milan (Italy))
“In a well-argued book, Andrea Leva sheds light on an overlooked area of alliance theory. IR has traditionally spent less attention on weaker members in asymmetric alliances. Instead, the author engages the reader with a compelling analysis of the unexpected impact that protégées can have on alliances. Contrary to the realist and institutionalist arguments, Leva suggests that junior allies’ quest for autonomy and voice opportunity can critically affect their security relationship with the patron, even affecting the alliance’s persistence or termination. The book’s model is then applied to several interesting case studies. A must-read for those interested in questioning a simplistic view of asymmetric alliances.” (—Andrea Carati, Associate Professor, Università degli Studi, Milan (Italy))

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