Coalition Building

Creation of an alliance and subsequent sharing of resources to achieve a defined goal. Unlike some alliances, coalitions are temporary in nature, lasting only long enough to achieve their defined purposes. Coalitions can be built in a variety of areas, such as internationally among states, within governments, and among domestic interest groups.

There are many benefits that can be achieved by building coalitions. One of the most obvious is that the combination of resources allows coalition members to exercise greater power than they could individually. The less powerful members within a coalition are also able to further their interests or simply defend them using greater resources that were previously unavailable. Additionally, coalitions can often provide greater legitimacy of action than could be achieved if individual members acted alone.

To convince others to join a coalition, it is necessary to provide them with solid incentives. These incentives may include outlining compatible goals and demonstrating that, by creating a coalition, these goals have a better chance of being achieved. Additionally, it is important for potential members to be persuaded that the benefits that can be achieved by joining outweigh the potential costs. The cost that might be incurred by not joining may be alienation or the implementation of other penalties such as economic sanctions. Those who do join can be promised political and economic benefits, as was done in the 2003 U.S.-led coalition in Iraq.

There are also many difficulties that can come in building and maintaining coalitions. In coalitions, there are often different political goals and strategies. These differences may strain the alliance. Additionally, there may be a struggle for leadership within the coalition. Most countries are reluctant to provide forces without having any input into how they will be used.

Another area in which coalitions run into difficulty is in the matter of resources. In an ideal situation, each member's resources would be compatible with those of other members. However, there are often incompatibilities in organizational structure, technology, and even culture that make it difficult for members to work together effectively.

There have been several episodes in the recent history of the United States when the president has chosen to build a coalition to achieve a goal. The willingness to join coalitions in the interest of national security has generally meant that the United States has played a central role in the decision-making process of the coalition. As is the case in most coalitions, the weaker powers are generally left to follow the strongest power's lead.

One of the clearest examples of U.S. coalition building is the coalition that President George H. W. Bush built during his presidency. During the first Gulf War, President Bush managed to convince an impressive number of countries to join a coalition for the purpose of removing Saddam Hussein from Kuwait. Several countries in the region that became members were able to provide useful resources for the effort. For example, Saudi Arabia's allowance of U.S. troops [Page 133]into the country provided a valuable staging point for the invasion and helped to pay for the costs of the war. The inclusion of a large number of players, many of whom had not been close allies, gave the action global legitimacy. Arguably, this coalition was a success story that illustrates the benefits of coalition building.

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