Capability and Identity: Two Different Understandings of Security in International Relations

Competition and cooperation have been dual dimensions of
international relations throughout history. Competition directs
attention toward the importance of the material capabilities.
Cooperation, because of its character, leads focus toward the
significance of the agent. According to the structural theory,
security, as the most valuable good, originates in the context
of order, in which the player enjoys a distinctive status. Distribution
of capabilities has to occur in a way that brings about
influence. With emphasis on the importance of identity of the
agent in shaping the phenomenon and events, that kind of order
ought to be created which demonstrates the least amount
of identity conflict and inter-subjective similarity. An order of
this kind brings about a promising domain for shaping security
needs. Congenial international relations for each player assuredly
depend on the possibility of making security. What is the
most suitable framework to establish security is viewed as the
main question of the article. Understanding the multidimensional
character of security and knowing determining role of
material and social aspects in shaping security, the hypothesis
is: The environment with least identity conflict and highest status
for the player creates the most suitable security surrounding
without any doubt.