Inter-state relations under complex interdependence

Since time immemorial human societies have been interacting unabatedly. In every epoch the nature, direction and frequency of this interaction has been different, largely depending on political organisation on the international level. With the establishment of modern nation-state system, international interaction and consequent interdependence became more organised, bound by legal procedures and largely difficult.

As the nation-state system kept on evolving and becoming more rigid, the international interdependence assumed as somewhat unidirectional nature. The state to state interaction during the period between establishment of the system and the beginning of WWII remained restricted more or less to limited economic interaction and wars. Post-WWII and specifically post-Cold War, the inter-state relationship assumed a new shape termed by some experts as ‘Complex Interdependence’. The concept was coined by experts Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye, as a neoliberal critique of the realist view or explanation of the world.

Complex Interdependence is the idea that ‘states and their fortunes are inextricably tied together’. The theorists recognised that the various and complex transnational connections and interdependencies between states and societies were growing, while the use of military force and power balancing were decreasing but remain important.

Keohane and Nye also differentiated between interdependence and dependence in analysing the role of power in politics and the relations between international actors. They thus argue that the decline of military force as a policy tool and the increase in economic and ‘other forms of interdependence’ should increase the probability of cooperation among states. Their work surfaced in the 1970s to become a significant challenge to political realist theory in international politics and became foundational to current theories that have been categorised as liberalism, neoliberalism and liberal institutionalism. The theorists argue that post-WWII countries have become increasingly intertwined. The monumental growth in transnational corporations has blurred state boundaries putting on the traditional realist assumptions about the centrality of state on an intellectual defensive.

Complex Interdependence can be explained most appropriately, in the backdrop of realist worldview. Realists contend the state is the dominant actor in world politics and violence and military force are the fundamental means by which states try to achieve their goals and further their interests. Diametrically opposed Complex Interdependence lays stress upon cooperation rather than conflict, and this is what happened since the end of WWII. Though it is recognised that violence and conflict haven’t vanished altogether, they still think non-security related issues have gained more significance like international monetary relations and global environmental concerns. The theorists contend the day-to-day affairs of states have more to do with promoting cooperative economic interaction than with military and security matters. Keohane and Nye argue that assumptions of realists have largely been inappropriate basis of analysis of the politics of interdependence. They could be defined as either extreme set of conditions or ideal type. But Complex Interdependence is another ideal type that is opposite to realism. The term ‘complex’ is self-explanatory while ‘interdependence’ invites multiple explanations but mostly converging. Generally interdependence can be defined as “a condition where states or peoples are affected by decisions taken by others. Interdependence can be symmetric, ie, both sets of actors are affected equally, or it can be asymmetric, where the impact varies between actors.” Interdependence can be strategic interdependence or economic interdependence. Prima facie Complex Interdependence seems rational and realistic. This is largely because of the incongruities inherent in the traditional concept of ‘realism’. For realists like Hans J Morgenthau, international politics like all other politics is a struggle for power, except domestic politics, dominated by organised violence.

Thus Pakistani foreign policymakers must realise the importance of Complex Interdependence of the international system and design strategies to get maximum advantage for the country and its citizens through meaningful and gainful engagements with other states.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 17^th, 2017.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.