When we talk about international relations, there is a great world of possibilities that must be studied: from treaties, to agreements, alliances, pacts, etc. All this makes society more homogeneous and secure when it comes to being what it is, a society. Today we are going to talk about one of the most important concepts in these international relations, we will tell you about it.
Reciprocity or the principle of reciprocity is found, as we have said, in the context of relationships and treaties. This principle means that the guarantees, benefits and sanctions that a State grants to the persons (physical or legal) of another State, must be paid by the counterpart in the same way.
In this sense, if one State offers another certain advantages to carry out or act in certain occasions in one way, the other must also allow it to do the same. All this always within limits and restrictions, which do not disintegrate the image of the States, among themselves.
Reciprocity is used, for example, to reduce or eliminate duty, grant copyright to foreign persons, the recognition and execution of judicial decisions of certain circumstances, for travel restrictions and visa requirements, etc.
Closely related to this concept are extradition agreements (delivery of a refugee or detained person in one country to the authorities of another so that they can be tried by the latter).