Answer the following questions.

1. Why do we see powerful states, like the USA, making alliance commitments to weaker states? What does this reasoning say about the nature and durability of alliances?

2. What is collective security and why do its proponents argue that it promotes peace? Discuss critiques of this argument, as well.

3. To what extent is conflict bargaining between state actors and non-state actors different than between two state actors? Discuss the implications for deterring conflict and creating peace in disputes involving non-state actors.

For each question, write more than 300 words. And the answers should use the following materials to answer the questions. Outsider materials are not allowed.

Materials:

Frieden, Jeffry, David Lake, and Kenneth Schultz. 2015. World Politics: Interests, Interactions, Institutions (3rd ed.). New York: W.W. Norton.

(Chapter 5 and 6)

Mingst, Karen A. and Jack L. Snyder. 2016. Essential Readings in World Politics (6th ed.). New York: W.W. Norton. (Mingst and Snyder. Section 8 (pp. 402-466 ）)

Shiraev, Eric. B. and Vladislav M. Zubok. 2016. Current Debates in International Relations. Oxford: Oxford University Press. (Shiraev and Zubok. Sections 5.2, 5.3, 5.4)