The level of institutionalisation can affect alliance cohesion in several distinct
ways. First, if the alliance generates a large formal bureaucracy, this will create
a cadre of individuals whose professional perspectives and career prospects are
closely tied to maintaining the relationship. Such individuals are likely to view
the alliance as intrinsically desirable and will be reluctant to abandon it even
when circumstances change. The longer the alliance lasts, the more numerous
and influential its advocates will be. To cite the most obvious example, NATO
is now supported not only by the common interests of its members, but by an
elaborate transatlantic network of former NATO officials, defence intellectuals,
military officers, journalists and policy analysts, all of whose professional lives
have been devoted to addressing the security issues facing the 'Atlantic
community'. Ending the alliance would liquidate the principal professional
achievement of this transnational community and foreclose the continuing series
of transatlantic conferences that these élites have long enjoyed. One can safely
expect these élites to resist pressures to dismantle the Alliance, even if it had
outlived its usefulness.