What is the main goal of collective security arrangements?

The primary goal of collective security arrangements is to prevent war through mutual defense agreements. These arrangements are based on the idea that an act of aggression against one member of a group will be considered an act against all members, creating a united front that dissuades potential aggressors from initiating conflict. By committing to a collective response, member states enhance their security, as the threat of combined retaliation acts as a significant deterrent to aggressive actions.

This is particularly critical in international relations, as the presence of a unified response can stabilize regions facing potential conflicts. In such arrangements, countries often agree to come to the aid of one another, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and cooperative defense that is meant to uphold peace and security on a broader scale.

The other options, while they touch on various aspects of international relations, do not encompass the core aim of collective security. Expanding trade relations pertains more to economic policies and incentives rather than military alliances. Encouraging individual state actions would undermine the collective approach meant to address security threats, and promoting nationalism does not align with the cooperative spirit that collective security embodies; instead, it can sometimes lead to divisive national policies that counter the intention of global security collaboration.