Most of the time, when we read and hear about security we are talking about traditional, national security conceptions of security. In the traditional conception of security, the greatest danger to a country is from military threats. The source of this danger is another country that by threatening military action endangers the core values of sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.  

Which of the following statements is correct?

a- Most alliances are formalized verbally over conferences and are based on a fairly clear identification of who constitutes the threat.
b- Countries form alliances to increase their effective power relative to another country or alliance.

Only statement b is correct.

An alliance is a coalition of states that coordinate their actions to deter or defend against military attack. Most alliances are formalized in written treaties and are based on a fairly clear identification of who constitutes the threat. Countries form alliances to increase their effective power relative to another country or alliance. Alliances are based on national interests and can change when national interests change.