It is often said that we are living in the age of globalization, where local issues have become global concerns. This statement holds true on a broader scale, as globalization is affecting every one of us. Pakistan, like other nations, has not been immune to the impacts of globalization, which have been both positive and negative.

On the positive side, globalization has integrated Pakistan into the global economic mainstream. Hundreds of thousands of young Pakistani men and women are earning substantial incomes by participating in the global economy. These young people contribute significantly to Pakistan, especially at a time when the country’s economy is struggling, and foreign investment has dwindled. Additionally, globalization has helped showcase the positive aspects of Pakistani society, such as our country’s stunning scenic sites, which have gained recognition worldwide.

However, globalization has also brought challenges for Pakistan. One major negative impact is the global perception of Pakistan as a country associated with terrorism and radicalism. This has led to suspicion and prejudice against Pakistanis, regardless of their skills, education, or integrity.

In terms of international relations, globalization has given rise to what is known as “complex interdependence.” This concept needs to be understood in detail. Human societies have always interacted with each other, but the nature, direction, and frequency of these interactions have varied depending on the political organization at the international level. With the establishment of the modern nation-state system, international interactions became more organized, bound by legal procedures, and, in many ways, more complicated.

As the nation-state system evolved and became more rigid, international interdependence took on a somewhat unidirectional nature. Between the establishment of this system and the beginning of World War II, state-to-state interactions were largely limited to economic exchanges and conflicts. However, after World War II, and particularly after the Cold War, inter-state relationships transformed into what some experts term “Complex Interdependence.” This concept, introduced by Robert Keohane and Joseph S. Nye, offers a neoliberal critique of the realist view of international relations.

In Pakistan, it is crucial for both the public and policymakers to understand this concept, as a deeper comprehension of today’s international dynamics is essential for maximizing the benefits of globalization. Traditionally, there has been a limited understanding of global dynamics in Pakistan, leading to a narrow worldview.

The concept of Complex Interdependence suggests that states and their fortunes are intricately linked. In the age of globalization, this is inevitable, and no country can escape this reality. The theorists who coined this term recognized that transnational connections and interdependencies between states and societies were growing, even as the use of military force and power balancing continued to play a role, albeit a diminishing one.

Despite ongoing conflicts like the Israel-Palestine and Russia-Ukraine wars, it is important to recognize that the entire world is not engulfed in conflict. Pakistan, too, has largely been at peace, even after decades of fighting terrorism and the violence concentrated mainly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Notably, Pakistan has avoided full-scale wars with neighboring countries like India and Afghanistan.

Keohane and Nye made an important distinction between interdependence and dependence in their analysis of power in politics and the relationships between international actors. They argue that the decline of military force as a policy tool, combined with the rise of economic and “other forms of interdependence,” should increase the likelihood of cooperation among states. Their work, emerging in the 1970s, posed a significant challenge to political realism in international relations and laid the groundwork for theories now categorized as liberalism, neoliberalism, and liberal institutionalism.

The theorists contend that post-World War II, countries have become increasingly interconnected—so much so that they can no longer exist without this interdependence. The exponential growth of transnational corporations has blurred state boundaries, putting traditional realist assumptions about the centrality of the state on the defensive. Realists have traditionally argued that the state is the primary actor in international relations. However, the concept of complex interdependence challenges this by highlighting the role of non-state actors, such as international corporations operating across the globe.

Complex Interdependence can best be understood when contrasted with the realist worldview. Realists believe that the state is the dominant actor in world politics and that violence and military force are the primary means by which states pursue their goals and interests. In contrast, Complex Interdependence emphasizes cooperation over conflict—a trend that has been evident since the end of World War II. While it is acknowledged that violence and conflict have not disappeared entirely, non-security-related issues, such as international monetary relations and global environmental concerns, have gained increasing importance.

Keohane and Nye argue that the assumptions of realists are largely inadequate for analyzing the politics of interdependence. They suggest that realism and Complex Interdependence can be seen as two extreme or “ideal types,” with Complex Interdependence offering an alternative perspective to realism. The term “complex” is self-explanatory, while “interdependence” invites various interpretations, generally converging on the idea that it is “a condition where states or peoples are affected by decisions taken by others.” Interdependence can be symmetric, where both sets of actors are equally affected, or asymmetric, where the impact varies between actors. It can be further categorized into strategic interdependence or economic interdependence.

At first glance, Complex Interdependence appears rational and realistic, primarily because of the inconsistencies inherent in the traditional concept of realism. For realists like Hans J. Morgenthau, international politics, like all politics, is a struggle for power, with the exception of domestic politics, which is dominated by organized violence.

Therefore, it is crucial for Pakistani foreign policymakers to recognize the importance of Complex Interdependence within the international system. They should design strategies that maximize the country’s benefits through meaningful and productive engagements with other states, ensuring advantages for both the nation and its citizens.