States must bloom where they are planted, and they are planted in pots of different sizes next to larger and smaller neighbors. Shaped by the differences in their mutual exposure to interactions, characteristic patterns of attention and behavior result. Over time, most asymmetric relationships become habituated into mutually acceptable patterns of interaction, but in novel situations the differences of interests, behavior, and perception between the two can become problematic.

A normal asymmetric relationship is founded on reciprocal but different commitments by each side. The larger side must recognize the autonomy of the smaller. Without such recognition, the interests and the identity of the smaller will be threatened by the greater capabilities of the larger. Conversely, the smaller must be deferential to its actual disparity of power with the larger. If it presents itself as a challenger to the larger, then the larger will be tempted to use its greater capabilities to control the ambition of the smaller. Autonomy and deference are complementary in a normal asymmetric relationship, which is a negotiated relationship between unequals. Although the relationship is negotiated, the imbalance of capabilities and attention between the two put the stronger side in the leadership position. This chapter concludes by considering the deep structure of asymmetric relationships and how changes in relative capability, identity, government, and context can affect relationships.

THE LOCATEDNESS OF INTERESTS AND PARAMETRIC REASONABLENESS

Two fundamental elements of political communities combine to produce a locatedness of their interests. First, a political community is a territorial unit. Its population is clustered together geographically, and its territory contains certain resources and has certain characteristics that shape the immediate opportunities and challenges of its population. Second, a specific political community is negatively defined by the existence of other political communities with other located populations. A political community is defined not only by its own situation but also by its relationships with other communities – by what it is and by what it is not. Even in cases of a community with natural borders or with boundaries that are uncontested by neighbors – an island, for instance – part of its reality will be shaped by its contacts with other communities, and these contacts will be shaped by the different parameters of the other communities and by patterns of contact influenced by relative location.