More Unstable Internally, More Reliable Externally

Which states are reliable alliance partners? Previous realist and institutional studies highlight two factors, common threat and joint democracy, respectively. This study focuses our attention on political unrest as a factor affecting alliance commitment. In particular, it hypothesizes that domestically-troubled states are more likely to join wars for their stronger allies because the leaders expect both rally-round-the-flag effects as well as military and economic benefits from the senior partners. A plausibility probe study of South Korea’s participation in the Vietnam War provides some support for the diversionary approach that domestically-troubled states are reliable alliance partners. Park Chung Hee expressed his preference to send troops to Southeast Asia just after his successful military coup in 1961 and responded actively to the U.S. call for “more flags” in 1964. By showing his anti-communist stance and commitment to alliance with the Unite States, he hoped to maintain, if not increase, U.S. support, military and economic, that was essential not only for South Korea’s security and development but for his political survival and control of domestic politics. Actually, he could prove himself to disgruntled domestic audience as one providing “guns” and “butter” with U.S. support in return for his sending troops to Southeast Asia.