International cooperation against existential risks: insights from international relations theory

Abstract

International cooperation is necessary to address existential risks, yet the field of International Relations (IR) has not paid enough attention to existential threats such as global pandemics, climate change, and artificial intelligence risks. While mainstream IR theory offers insight into facilitating international cooperation, its state-centrism and focus on national interests present challenges. IR scholars tend to prioritize national interests over shared global concerns, adopt a narrow definition of national interests focused on short-term security and economic issues, and downplay the role of non-state actors. Despite these limitations, IR theory provides valuable insights for mitigating existential risks. For effective cooperation, it is crucial to develop policies and solutions that minimize curtailment of states’ economic and military capabilities, shape international norms to influence state behavior and cost-benefit calculations, and consider facilitating cooperation among non-state entities. As humanity’s moral circles expand, it is hoped that national interests will become less of a barrier to international cooperation in addressing existential risks. – AI-generated abstract.