Recalcitrant Interdependence

'Recalcitrant Interdependence' is the idea within international relations theory proposed by Robert Potter, that states can defy the international political consensus by clustering together. This theory was formulated in a thesis at Flinders University.
The work deals with an overlapping consensus as illustrated by Francis Fukuyama in The End of History and the Last Man. It combines the work of Fukuyama with the concept of Complex interdependence as developed by Joseph Nye and Robert Keohane. The theory posits that states may resist an international consensus and international norms, in a process called Recalcitrant Interdependence.
Etymology of the term 'Recalcitrant'
The thesis is derived from the former Prime Minister of Australia Paul Keating. The term recalcitrant comes from the occasion when Keating referred to the Prime Minister of Malaysia Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad as recalcitrant after the later refused to attend an APEC Summit.
Overview
The thesis proposes three working categories that states can be broken down into.
Normative States
The normative state is the entity that subscribes to the vast majority of the established international norms (both written in treaty and undefined). These states generally seek to strengthen those norms through the development of treaties. These states usually have a stake, either ideologically or economically, in strengthening those norms. Normative states also generally prefer that international pressure be brought to bear in order to dissuade rogue states and, through this and other mechanisms, to move those that do exist to more long-term stability. Normative states tend to be liberal democracies. Crucially, normative states are less apt to declare war on other like entities. This does not mean that all normative states agree on every issue, neither do they endorse tactics used by the others. Many disagreements exist between the normative states. However, there is a clear, unwritten understanding between these states that the international system should continue to develop in ways that promote the development of human rights and liberal democracy.
Recalcitrant Interdependent State
A recalcitrant state, while not necessarily refuting the international consensus, functions partially outside of it. The recalcitrant state might, for instance, value sovereignty. However, in relation to human rights the recalcitrant state may have a definition or understanding of the subject that undermines the consensus elsewhere.
Rogue States
Within the thesis, a rogue state is defined as a state that exists almost totally outside of the international consensus. The work asserts that rogue states have the best chance of being established and surviving within clusters of recalcitrant interdependent states. It is argued that the obfuscation of the international consensus provided by the recalcitrant interdependent states also works to provide cover for the rogue states.
*The theory argues that Democratic Peace Theory and Universal Human Rights are necessary components of the present system of international norms.
Sovereignty
The thesis identifies the debate over sovereignty, arguing that recalcitrant interdependent states view it as a core norm that transcends all others. Stephen Krasner has argued that sovereignty as a concept is on the wane. Rather than specifically argue that a specific definition of sovereignty is inherent to the international consensus, the work argues that it is the debate over the concept that leads to it being used as a diplomatic shield by a recalcitrant state. In the case of non-state Swat Vally of Pakistan, militants have signed accords with the central government. This then means that the government of Pakistan may not exercise actual authority over the territory within its borders. Pakistan however can claim an absolute definition of sovereignty when discussing international issues with normative states.
*The thesis also discusses other concepts that relate to the emphasis of sovereignty at the expense of established international norms like human rights and collective responsibility. It also discusses non-state actors.
Movements that resisted international norms
Potter's work discusses specific international projects that, if enacted as discussed would require a major shift in the established international norms. The work labels them as being both 'recalcitrant' with regard to specific norms and 'interdependent' in that they are reinforced by separate international movements.
Asian Values
Potter's work identifies specific components of the Asian Values debate as working to establish a change to the international system while still existing partially within it. The definition of Sovereignty within Asian Values is identified as being recalcitrant as is the claim that civil and political rights must be infringed in Liberty Trade-offs as described by Jack Donelly.
Revolutionary Islam
The thesis identifies several concepts that exist collectively within the revolutionary Islam movement that transcend some of the cultural divides within the Islamic World. The work compares the writings of Sayyid Qutb, Osama bin Laden and Ayatollah Khomeini and looks for views that are expressed individually but which collectively work against international norms. A view that defines that which is not Islamic as 'other' is discussed with regard to the international consensus.
Relationship with other international relations theories
The Clash of civilizations
The international relations concept of Recalcitrant Interdependence is critical of Samuel Huntington's framework; arguing that the international consensus has continued to develop despite the predictions make in The Clash of Civilizations.
Potter acknowledges that Huntington's skepticism may be proven correct in practice, however he argues that this will come under an assertion of cultural exceptionalism through the claim that civilizational lines exist and that international norms are culture-specific. The work argues that one need not argue, as Huntington does, that objective lines between civilization groups exist, rather, one can just claim they do in order to resist the application of international norms.
Complex Interdependence
The idea of recalcitrant interdependence builds upon the work of Nye and Keohane, in their work on power and governance in a partially globalized world. They explored how the international system develops order the development of the international system. This combined with a decline in the use of military force and hard power has developed an international system that tends towards interdependence.
The End of History
Potter while drawing on Francis Fukuyama's work, criticized The End of History and the Last Man. In his thesis Recalcitrant Interdependence, he reasoned that even if an idea is objectively better than the other possible alternatives, states are still free to ignore it. In Recalcitrant Interdependence illiberal states cluster together, providing reinforcing diplomatic protection upon one another. The result being that it becomes entirely possible that "the End of History" may never happen, even if its predictions are correct. The criticism centers on the contention that "the End of History" can fail without it being overcome by another "the End of History" style concept. A good idea is compelling but not necessarily obligatory to adopt and can be resisted.

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