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.