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International Relations & Diplomacy vocabulary · Theories of International Relations

Interdependence

Meaning in international relations & diplomacy, with examples

/ˌɪntədɪˈpendəns/nounCommon term

In international relations & diplomacy, interdependence means: A situation in which states depend on each other, for example through trade, investment, energy or technology, so that events in one country affect others.

In Turkish: karşılıklı bağımlılık

How it is used

Central to liberal IR theory; 'complex interdependence' is a well-known concept from the 1970s. Common phrases: economic interdependence, global interdependence and 'weaponised interdependence', when economic ties are used as a means of pressure.

Example sentences

  1. Liberals argue that economic interdependence makes war very costly for both sides.

  2. The pandemic showed how deep global interdependence has become.

  3. Energy interdependence links the two economies closely.

Common collocations

  • economic interdependence
  • complex interdependence
  • global interdependence
  • weaponised interdependence
  • liberalismA major theory of international relations holding that cooperation between states is possible and is helped by trade, international institutions, law and democracy.
  • economic diplomacyThe use of diplomatic tools and networks to support a country's economic interests, such as trade, investment, energy deals and access to foreign markets.
  • sanctionsPenalties, such as trade restrictions or frozen assets, that one or more countries or international organisations impose on a state, group or person to change their behaviour.
  • multilateralInvolving three or more countries, or carried out through international organisations, as in multilateral talks, a multilateral treaty or multilateral cooperation.

More terms: Theories of International Relations

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