My book project examines how social structures influence the alignment decisions of less powerful states in great–power competition. I argue that these decisions are shaped not only by factors like power distribution, threat perception, or regime type but also by the configurations of global networks—security, economic, and/or diplomatic—in which states are embedded. A state's position in these networks plays a crucial role in determining its vulnerability to peer influence and its ability to resist the wedge strategies employed by great powers, which ultimately affects its alignment choices in these rivalries.

Specifically, I argue that states are more likely to align with a great power when more of their direct partners have already done so. However, when a larger proportion of their indirect partners (or "partners of my partners") side with one great power, this can sometimes have the opposite effect, making states more hesitant to commit. Additionally, the more central or influential a state is in the network, the more likely it is to shape and be shaped by the alignment decisions of others. At the same time, weaker states' relative positions to great powers in the networks can significantly shape their bargaining power, leaving some more vulnerable to the great power's rewards or pressure. These dynamics collectively influence alignment decisions. 

To evaluate my arguments, I analyze three cases: the US–China contest over 5G technology, the global debate on joining the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and the US-Soviet rivalry during the early Cold War. These cases cover key dimensions of great-power competition—technology, economics, and security—where less powerful states were pressured to choose between competing great powers. I have compiled novel datasets capturing states' alignment choices in these contexts and integrated them with data on relevant international networks. This enables a quantitative analysis of how network positions shape states' resilience to peer influence and wedge strategies. Additionally, I conduct comparative case studies to uncover the mechanisms behind specific countries' alignment decisions in the 5G, AIIB, and Cold War scenarios.