Final answer:
An alliance is an agreement between states to work together towards a common goal, which can either promote peace or contribute to conflict escalation.
Step-by-step explanation:
A temporary or permanent alliance geared toward a common goal is called an informal group of sovereign states, a union of states, or a formal organization where states are members. Alliances are created when countries, brought together by the necessity to defeat common enemies, take steps towards working in concert despite their differences. The primary intention behind the alliance system was to promote peace through collaborative agreements. However, alliances can also escalate conflicts once a war has started, transforming a potential minor dispute into global warfare. For example, military alliances before World War I morphed a regional conflict into a worldwide struggle.