This type of institutionalisation will operate most powerfully when it creates
capacities that are highly adaptable. In general, flexibility will occur when the
alliances possesses diverse capabilities - which may include military, economic
and diplomatic assets - and when these capabilities rest on a division of labour
that would be difficult to replace. Durability is also increased when the alliance's
institutions facilitate the creation of new rules and principles, thereby making it
easier to adapt to new conditions.
Once again, NATO seems to the defining
example of this sort of alliance, given its long duration, diverse capabilities and
demonstrated capacity to amend doctrines and organisational forms in response
to external developments.
Indeed, some experts now see NATO as evolving
from a defensive alliance into a more diverse 'security-management institution',
whose purpose is both collective defence and managing a varied array of lowlevel
security problems.