The Future of International Relations: A Symbiotic Realism Theory

Posted by Edward Grey on September 9th, 2021

Symbiotic realism goes beyond the state centrism of realism and focuses on the predilections of the global anarchy, human nature, instant connectivity, and interdependence.  It acknowledges several non-state actors such as collective, colossal identities, transnational corporations, and international organizations as critical for helping shape the global system. It clarifies that the realist perception of competitive state relationships doesn’t stand up to scrutiny when the state is fundamentally concerned with relative gains within a self-help system.

Many scholars argue that the conceptions regarding human nature tell us that perceptions are as essential as material capabilities when it comes to analyzing motivators of the state’s behavior. Given the increased interdependence, states often engage in symbiotic relations i.e. they take part in mutual relationships of dependence, which enable a state to gain more than the other without any deleterious effects.  

It implies that absolute gains are rather possible, and that this ‘game’ of IR isn’t necessarily zero-summed. It also indicates that when states accrue a disproportionate amount of power, it doesn’t imply that the other states will be forming alliances to balance against it. Further, it means that a responsible hegemonic system can and should accommodate the other states’ interests while avoiding threatening behavior or engaging in ‘offshore balancing.’ Moreover, certain aspects of a state’s true power stem from its capacity to lead through consent, rather than coercion, which inevitably involves normative and cognitive schemes as well as material phenomena, making it a type of hegemony.

Symbiotic realism’s dual ontology also enables it to capture the sense in which these collective identities whether supra-state or sub-state, are fluid rather than being fixed entities. This is also because they’re continuously adapting to the environments that are rapidly altered due to globalization. As a result of these technological advancements, people are now able to instantly connect to each other. They can transmit images across the globe in no time—but often with severe consequences. This means that human mobility has intensified; people can migrate to find work or just travel to other countries much more easily. What this implies is that many collective identities are rubbing up against ‘other’ collective identities way more than before. It can cause certain members within these entities to feel disoriented, threatened, or marginalized. Therefore, collective identities at large are significant to the global system’s dynamics.

Furthermore, human nature’s neurobiological predilections also indicate that the overall wellbeing of human beings largely depends on the possession of a sense of belonging and a positive identity. It tells us that exceptionalism and cultural arrogance, when coupled might increase the likelihood of conflict and insecurity, are equally possible. Thus, in a world where increasing communications and human mobility commonly prevails, it is important that human beings feel valued and respected. And that any excesses, such as cultural arrogances, remain guarded against.  

The modern world is struggling with a collective challenge to successfully manage relations between various cultural groups that coincide within a society and promote peaceful co-existence between civilizations. Symbiotic realism therefore argues that synergy should be considered as a guiding principle when searching for better ways to manage relations among culturally pluralistic societies.

Symbiotic realism therefore also attributes an inherent role to human nature. It seeks to adopt a broader conception of the human nature, which is backed by the insights provided by neurobiology. The view upholds the notion that humans are driven by their aspirations or basic instincts. When their survival is at stake their basic instincts take priority, and when basic needs are potentially fulfilled, humans are able to act morally. However, these notions rely on assumptions, which means that the moral capabilities of people can alter, depending on education, upbringing, and personal experiences of individuals. Considering that people are generally capable of acting as per their moral standards under the conditions that their basic needs are properly met, this implies that good global governance structures are important.

Another aspect of symbiotic realism focuses on classifying women as actors, in an attempt to make gender much more visible. Women worldwide are affected by, and simultaneously help shape the global system in ways that are quite different than those of men. At a primary level, women have a much different access to education or health care institutions. These factors also affect the life expectancy of women in general. Lack of education, for example, significantly increases the risk of death during childbirth or due to undernourishment. In essence, women, in this case, become actors that are often hidden from the view, simply because of what the conventional IR paradigm allows one to ‘see.’

Learn more about Ted Hopf International Relations Theory here.

About The Author

The author is a political science professor at a renowned educational institution. She has extensive experience writing articles with a broadly comparative or international approach across various social sciences fields.