Chain ganging is a term in the field of international relations describing the elevated probability for interstate conflict or conflagration due to several states having joined in alliances or coalitions.
Chain ganging is believed to be most effective in a scenario with a multipolar balance of power where the allied states have a military advantage over potential enemies.
Both are derived from neorealism and are existent in a multipolar system but chain ganging requires aggressive state behaviour to occur.
According to Kenneth Waltz, "The defeat or defection of a major ally would have shaken the balance, each state was constrained to adjust its strategy and the use of its forces to the aims and fears of its partners.
"[2] Due to conflict between China and the United States, both sides have been engaging in chaining themselves to far eastern states prompting some to declare the region likely play host to the chain gang dilemma should conflict escalate in that region[3] with the Philippines to claim an attack on America is an attack on the Philippines and vice versa during the Spratly Islands dispute.