A combination of parties or states. For example, in 1991 a U.S-led international coalition defeated Iraq in the Persian Gulf war. Domestically, coalitions can be made up of many organisations which band together to pursue a particular cause, as for example the Christian Coalition is a coalition made up of many different Christian organisations for the purpose of influencing public debate on moral affairs. There can also be legislative coalitions, in which legislators team up with others to advance a particular issue or piece of legislation, even though they may not be of the same party or agree on any other issues.

An alliance between two or more political units in response to opposing forces.