What does 'collective security' entail?

Collective security refers to an arrangement where states agree to mutual defense, meaning that if one member state is attacked, the other member states will consider it an attack on themselves and respond collectively. This concept is grounded in the idea that by working together for mutual protection, states can enhance their security and deter aggressors. The underlying principle is that collective defense strengthens the security of all member nations, as they have a vested interest in protecting one another from threats.

In historical contexts, collective security arrangements have been established to prevent conflicts, maintain peace, and respond to aggressions. A well-known example of this is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), where member countries are bound to defend each other in the event of an attack. This cooperative stance helps to create a sense of security among the member states involved, which can contribute to international stability.

The other answers highlight various forms of international cooperation, but they do not encapsulate the foundational concept of collective security in the same way. While economic cooperation and intelligence sharing are important aspects of international relations, they do not inherently involve mutual defense against aggression, which is the essence of collective security. Military action on behalf of one state may occur independently of such agreements and does not necessarily involve a mutual commitment among multiple