[2] Unilateral action is often elected on behalf of independent leaders with nationalist tendencies and a strong distrust for the intentions of other countries' intervention.
In recent years, unilateral action is adjacent with nationalism, protectionism and rejection towards institutions that embody multilateral approach.
[3] Unilateralism, if unprovoked, has the potential to disrupt the peaceful upholding of sovereignty and territorial integrity that global security depends upon.
Examples include arbitrarily imposed economic sanctions such as the United States embargo against Cuba.
[citation needed] Typically, governments may argue that their ultimate or middle-term goals are served by a strengthening of multilateral schemes and institutions, as was many times the case during the period of the Concert of Europe.