(The latest version of this page is at Pattern Descriptions. An archived copy of this page is held at https://www.patternsofpower.org/edition02/727.htm)
Theoretically, countries could choose to rely upon multinational and international governance frameworks (6.6.5 and 6.6.6.1) to protect them – but most countries have decided that these are insufficiently robust to guarantee the safety of their inhabitants. They want to be able to protect themselves. Although the need for national armed forces might be expected to diminish, it is politically inconceivable in the short to medium-term that countries will feel able to manage without them.
As described below, countries can protect themselves independently or they can act collaboratively – by using formal legal agreements (7.2.7.1) or by creating ad hoc coalitions (7.2.7.2). Whether alone or in concert, they have several ways of putting pressure on other countries (7.2.7.3).
© PatternsofPower.org, 2014