A bloc is a group of countries, or of political parties, that act together on shared interests, such as a trade bloc, a military alliance or a voting bloc.
Historical proponents:Simón Bolívar, Immanuel KantCountries are stronger inside , such as the European Union or the African Union, than they are alone.
Nothing is sent anywhere.
In international politics, blocs take several forms. Trade blocs, such as the EU single market or Mercosur, lower barriers among members. Military or security blocs, such as NATO, commit members to mutual defense. Political blocs, like the African Union, coordinate on diplomacy. In the Cold War, “the Eastern bloc” and “the Western bloc” described groups of states aligned with the Soviet Union and the United States.
Joining a bloc can give smaller states more bargaining power and market access, but members accept rules and sometimes give up some control over their own policy.
Influential figures in the 12 axes thinker pool who advocated, analyzed or shaped ideas around this concept.
Liberator of northern South America · 1783–1830
A Venezuelan officer who led armies against Spanish rule in what are now Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, and who argued for strong central government in the new states.
“Called the 1826 Congress of Panama to bind the new American republics into a league for mutual defence.”
German philosopher · 1724–1804
A philosopher from Königsberg who argued that the moral law binds all rational beings, wrote Perpetual Peace in 1795, and held that lasting peace needs republics joined in a league of states.
“Cosmopolitan right and universal hospitality cross national boundaries.”
Real cases that people point to when they use the word.
The European Union, a political and economic union of 27 member states.
ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
The African Union, which brings together 55 member states.
Mercosur, a trade bloc in South America.
Reasonable people disagree about this. These are the strongest points made on each side.
The test asks about it in a statement. Your answer moves one axis score.
Agreeing that countries are stronger inside blocs moves your score toward the Internationalism side of the Nationalism vs Internationalism axis.
Which way agreeing pushes the score
Agreeing with a statement about bloc moves your score toward Internationalism.
Something else on your mind? Get in touch
Three statements gave you a first reading. The full test scores all twelve axes and finds your closest countries and ideologies.