What is a characteristic feature of alliances in the context of realism?

In the context of realism, alliances are primarily formed for security and power-balancing reasons. Realism posits that the international system is anarchic, meaning that there is no overarching authority to ensure the safety of states. Consequently, states must rely on themselves for their own security and survival. To mitigate threats and counterbalance potential adversaries, states often form alliances with others who share similar security interests.

These alliances are strategic arrangements aimed at enhancing their collective security against external threats and promoting stability within the international system. Additionally, realists emphasize that these alliances may be temporary and can shift over time based on changing power dynamics and national interests, reflecting the pragmatic approach of states to survival rather than any ideological alignment.

In contrast, the other options suggest characteristics that do not align with the realist perspective on alliances. Shared values and ideologies typically fall under liberalism, which views international relations through the lens of cooperation and values, rather than solely through a lens of power and security. The idea that alliances are consistently stable ignores the fluid nature of international relationships, as realists acknowledge that shifting alliances can occur in response to changing threats or opportunities. Lastly, the notion that alliances are unnecessary in times of peace does not hold in realism; even in peac