A bloc is a GROUP of countries, political parties, or other entities that are united by a common purpose or goal. The term 'bloc' can refer to a variety of different types of alliances, including a GROUP, ALLIANCE, PARTY, ASSOCIATION, COMBINATION, COALITION, FACTION, AXIS, UNION, CARTEL, and SOVIET. Each of these terms has a slightly different meaning, but they all refer to a collective of entities that are working together for a shared purpose. For example, a GROUP is a collection of people or organizations that have a common interest or goal, while an ALLIANCE is a formal agreement between two or more countries or organizations. A PARTY is a political organization that seeks to influence government policy, while an ASSOCIATION is a formal organization of individuals or groups with similar interests. A COMBINATION is a COMBINATION of two or more elements, while a COALITION is a temporary ALLIANCE of two or more political parties or other entities. A FACTION is a small GROUP within a larger organization, while an AXIS is a line connecting two points. A UNION is a GROUP of workers who are organized to protect their rights and interests, while a CARTEL is an agreement between companies to limit competition. Finally, a SOVIET is a type of government in which the people are represented by elected councils.