Bündnis

Bündnis is a German noun meaning alliance, coalition, or pact. It refers to a formal agreement among two or more parties to cooperate for common goals, often binding obligations and defined rules. The term is used in international relations as well as in domestic politics to describe cooperative arrangements between states, organizations, or political actors.

In diplomacy, Bündnisse are typically structured through treaties or formal accords that coordinate military, security, economic, or political action. They can be defensive, aiming to deter aggression, or offensive, committing parties to joint plans. The legal instrument behind a Bündnis may be a treaty (Vertrag) or a less formal pact (Pakt), and the broader relational term often used is Allianz, though the nuances differ. Within legislatures, parties or groups can also form Bündnisse to govern cooperation, sometimes called coalitions, while the names of organizations–for example Bündnis 90/Die Grünen in Germany and similar coalitions elsewhere–reflect this usage.

Historically, Bündnisse have played a central role in shaping diplomacy. In 19th‑century Europe, major Bündnisse such as the Dreikaiserbund (Three Emperors' League, 1873), the Zweibund (Twofold Alliance, 1879), and the Dreibund (Triple Alliance, 1882) influenced regional power dynamics. In modern times, NATO is commonly described as a military Bündnis, and the European Union is sometimes referred to as a broader political and economic Bündnis among its member states.

See also: Allianz, Pakt, Vertrag, Coalition.