Mechanisms of Recognition and Strengthening the Foundations of Peace in International Relations

Alongside struggle for power and struggle for wealth, there is emerging a new element in explaining the behavior of states namely the struggle for recognition. In the context of struggle for recognition, states try to achieve recognition of their right to life (thin recognition) as well as recognition of their various identity layers including status (thick recognition). If the state’s right to life or its various identity layers including status is not recognized peacefully then the state’s struggle for recognition can become violent and beget the conditions conducive to war. Therefore if there are mechanisms of recognition through which the struggle for recognition takes place peacefully, then these mechanisms can strengthen the foundations of peace in international relations. The main question is as follows: is there any mechanisms of recognition in which struggle for recognition take place peacefully? Regarding the methodology, this article is a theoretical analysis that tries to introduce and conceptualize mechanisms of recognition. Although this paper is a theoretical research, we have tried to identify the objective representations of these mechanisms. By mechanisms we mean any relations or arrangements which satisfy the states’ need for recognition whether thick or thin.