You shouldn't have any trouble at all getting an alliance or two early in the game. I often do this just for better tech-trading or so I can concentrate on another civ for a few turns. Alliances are also good for breaking peace treaties under democracy: if you're allied with Civ A, and they're at war with Civ B, but the Senate forced a peace treaty between you and Civ B, just meet the Civ A emissary and they'll 'demand' that you break the treaty with Civ B. Works every time.