Alliance theory and alliance ‘Shelter’: the complexities of small state alliance behaviour

@article{Bailes2016AllianceTA,
  title={Alliance theory and alliance ‘Shelter’: the complexities of small state alliance behaviour},
  author={Alyson J. K. Bailes and Bradley A. Thayer and Baldur Thorhallsson},
  journal={Third World Thematics: A TWQ Journal},
  year={2016},
  volume={1},
  pages={26 - 9}
}
Abstract This study critiques traditional alliance theory because it fails to capture the nuanced alliance motivation and needs of small states. We argue that the concept of alliance “shelter” better explains small state alignment. The theory of alliance shelter has been developed to explain the alliance choices of Western small states, including Iceland, and serves as an important addition to alliance theory. Shelter is the diplomatic, economic, societal, and political alignment response of… 
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