International Cooperation - Essay Example

International Cooperation In the world today, it is essential for s to cooperate in order to ensure thattheir interests, both mutual and individuals are protected. However, there are circumstances where cooperation between states is difficult, making it impossible for them to cooperate in matters of mutual interest. One of the reasons why states find it difficult to cooperate is because of there being mistrust as well as extreme competition in matters concerning their security (Elman, 2008). The mistrust that exists between states is based on the belief that cooperation might lead to a situation where states get to know too much about each other and this might lead to security threats. Furthermore, mistrust has developed as a result of competition between states, with competition taking place on the international scene as states attempt to outdo each other in ensuring their national security. Difficulty in cooperation also arises because there has been little change in the status quo since the end of the Cold War. The Cold War status of many states in the world has essentially remained the same and this has resulted in their mutual distrust of each other’s intentions (Collins, 1996). It is essential to note that the Cold War brought about a lot of friction between the different states on the global stage and this was based on their ideological alignment. While the ideological war ended, the alignments for the most part remained intact, creating a situation where it became extremely difficult for cooperation to be achieved. The fear of cheating on agreements or treaties is another reason why cooperation between states is difficult. The environment of mutual mistrust has created an environment where states are not willing to cooperate because they believe that agreements might favor the interests of other states over their own (Brown, 2007). Moreover, the belief that some states might attempt to renege on agreements that have been made tends to act as a deterrent for cooperation; making it extremely difficult for states which would otherwise make mutually beneficial agreements to decide not to cooperate. States that have a history of reneging on treaties are less likely to have the confidence of others when it comes to cooperation on the international scene, which results in difficulty in collaboration. International institutions are essential in ensuring cooperation between states and this is mainly through enforcing reciprocity. These institutions ensure that they institutionalize cooperation in such a manner that states find it hard to renege on those treaties or agreements that they have made with others (Brown, 2007). Furthermore, international institutions are designed to reduce mistrust and instead foster a spirit of confidence between member states, thus making possible an environment that is conducive for cooperation. The formation of these institutions guarantees the creation of ground rules that are necessary to build confidence between member states, which allows for the development of better initiatives for cooperation. The reciprocal nature of cooperation through international institutions is necessary in fostering the needed agreements to reduce friction between states and instead bring about mutual benefits between partners at the state level. International institutions act as a means through which states can be able to achieve international security mainly through developing confidence between member states. It should be noted that states normally try to secure themselves in the belief that there will come a time when their security might be threatened by their neighbors or other international players. In order to ensure their mutual security, states have come to cooperate in this sector, an example being NATO which has brought together some of the most powerful states in the world (Collins, 1996). Under such institutions, states end up pooling their security responsibilities in a bid to reduce conflict between them while at the same time helping in the establishment of rules necessary to a basis for cooperation in other sectors. The rules that are developed in the creation of international institutions are designed to reduce competition between states and instead encourage cooperation. These institutions are necessary in the reduction of competition because they ensure that states have an opportunity to cooperate in different sectors. Institutionalized cooperation means that states over time end up developing trust between each other and this ensures that they are able to cooperate in different areas of mutual interest. States that have a long history of cooperation, such as the United States and Britain, or Russia and Kazakhstan, are normally confident in each other’s ability to deliver on the promises that they make under the aegis of international institutions. A result of being members of international institutions is that states that would otherwise have been rivals as a result of self-interest end up cooperating; making it possible for the development of strong friendships. Cooperation between states tends to come about as a result of their need to balance each other’s power so that none can achieve hegemony (Owen, 2004). Therefore, international institutions come to face many problems in enforcing cooperation because some states only respond to those treaties that secure their individual interests and not to those that they feel might be detrimental to their interests. Under such circumstances, international institutions tend to have a hard time encouraging states to cooperate and it is only after some serious concessions have been made in their favor that some states agree to cooperate. These concessions are normally detrimental to the mutual interests of the parties involved and the result is that international institutions sometimes fail to fulfill their mandate. There are situations where international institutions fail in their mandates as a result of the power exercised by hegemonic regional powers which put their own interests before those that might be of mutual benefit with other states (Owen, 2004). This disregard for international institutions and values in favor of their own interests creates a situation where it becomes difficult for major powers to cooperate with others to achieve objectives that are beneficial to all of them. This is especially the case with the International Criminal Court where for the most part, developing countries are the ones that are members while developed and powerful states have refused to ratify the Rome Statute so that they can also become members. Without the cooperation of all relevant states in the world, there develops a situation where cooperation becomes impossible and this might lead to anarchy. References Brown, C. (2007). Understanding International Relations. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Collins, A. (1996). The Security Dilemma. In J. Davis, ed., Security Issues in the Post-Cold War World. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar. Elman, C. (2008). Realism, Security Studies: An Introduction. London: Routledge. Owen, T. (2004). Challenges and opportunities for defining and measuring human security. Human Rights, Human Security and Disarmament, Disarmament Forum. 3, 15–24. Read More