Reciprocity

Definition

Reciprocity in the context of international relations is the principle that countries will respond to actions by other countries with similar actions, whether positive or negative. It acts as a foundational mechanism for cooperation and conflict management among states.

Related terms

Diplomacy: The practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of states, often relying on reciprocity principles to achieve mutual benefits.

Sanctions: Economic or political penalties imposed by one country onto another to elicit a change in policy, which can be met with reciprocal sanctions.

Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD): A doctrine of military strategy where full-scale use of nuclear weapons by two opposing sides would cause the complete annihilation of both the attacker and the defender