international relations International relations (IR, and also referred to as international studies, international politics, or international affairs) is an academic discipline. In a broader sense, the study of IR, in addition to multilateral relations, concerns al ...

and

treaties A treaty is a formal, legally binding written agreement between sovereign states and/or international organizations that is governed by international law. A treaty may also be known as an international agreement, protocol, covenant, convention ...

, the principle of reciprocity states that favors, benefits, or penalties that are granted by one state to the

citizen Citizenship is a membership and allegiance to a sovereign state. Though citizenship is often conflated with nationality in today's English-speaking world, international law does not usually use the term ''citizenship'' to refer to nationality ...

s or legal entities of another, should be returned in kind. For example, reciprocity has been used in the reduction of

tariff A tariff or import tax is a duty (tax), duty imposed by a national Government, government, customs territory, or supranational union on imports of goods and is paid by the importer. Exceptionally, an export tax may be levied on exports of goods ...

s, the grant of

copyright A copyright is a type of intellectual property that gives its owner the exclusive legal right to copy, distribute, adapt, display, and perform a creative work, usually for a limited time. The creative work may be in a literary, artistic, ...

s to foreign authors, the mutual recognition and

enforcement Enforcement is the proper execution of the process of ensuring compliance with laws, regulations, rules, standards, and social norms. Governments attempt to effectuate successful implementation of policies by enforcing laws and regulations. En ...

of judgments, and the relaxation of

travel Travel is the movement of people between distant geographical Location (geography), locations. Travel can be done by Pedestrian, foot, bicycle, automobile, train, boat, bus, airplane, ship or other means, with or without Baggage, luggage, a ...

restrictions and visa requirements. The principle of reciprocity also governs agreements on

extradition In an extradition, one Jurisdiction (area), jurisdiction delivers a person Suspect, accused or Conviction, convicted of committing a crime in another jurisdiction, into the custody of the other's law enforcement. It is a cooperative law enforc ...

Specific and diffuse reciprocity

Several theorists have drawn a distinction between "specific reciprocity" and "diffuse reciprocity". While specific reciprocity is exemplified by international trade negotiations, as suggested above, diffuse reciprocity points to a wider institutionalisation of trust. Through consistent cooperation in an international society, states are seen as building generally accepted standards of behaviour. These general standards exert their own normative pressure on state action, contributing to the development of long-term obligations between states which stress cooperation. Thus in a system of diffuse reciprocity, states need not seek the immediate benefit guaranteed by specific reciprocity, but can act in the confidence that their cooperative actions will be repaid in the long run.

Reciprocity (International Relations)

Reciprocity being the foundation for many bonds of trust between people can be applied in various ways and within various topics. When thinking of reciprocity in relation to international relations, it is clear to see that exchanges play a big role. An example of international relations reciprocity would be trade agreements. Trade agreements make it easier for countries to trade with one another as even big and small countries can end up trading with one another, leading to it benefitting both countries. There is also room for negotiation with the trades being made, as the small counties, usually being at the disadvantage, can now have that power over the bigger countries that can offer more. Security alliances can also be seen as an example of reciprocity within international relations as both countries are in agreement to help one another in a time of military need. NATO is one of those organizations where countries come together to come up with different policies that help the countries in it, with one of those being a type of security agreement where they will aid one another in a time of military conflict. Again, reciprocity can be used within many topics as gift giving is universal within all.

References

* * {{Authority control International law International relations theory

Specific and diffuse reciprocity

Reciprocity (International Relations)

See also

References