Altruistic behavior in nature often occurs where a relationship increases the odds of reciprocity. If a squirrel spots a hawk, it is less likely to sound the alarm if the chances of reciprocity are low: in other words if the squirrel feels the other squirrels would not do the same.

Among people, contingent cooperation is considered an important tool for organizations to help encourage mutual engagement. Christopher Wilson, formerly with the Centre on Governance at the University of Ottawa, notes that as governments work together something emerges that is far greater than when they produce things alone.

Contingent cooperation is a strategy in international relations where nations agree to cooperate based on the condition that others do the same. It is essentially a reciprocal approach to peace, in which a state’s willingness to act peacefully depends on the behavior of its counterparts. This strategy recognizes that trust between nations is often fragile and must be maintained through consistent and mutually reinforcing actions.

In practice, contingent cooperation underpins many international agreements, such as arms control treaties and trade partnerships. For example, a country may agree to limit its nuclear arsenal or reduce military deployments only if rival states make similar commitments. If one party violates the agreement or acts aggressively, the others may respond with proportional measures—such as economic sanctions, diplomatic pressure, or even military deterrence—to discourage further non-cooperation. In this way, peace is maintained not through unconditional goodwill, but through a system of expectations and consequences.

The primary benefit of contingent cooperation is that it creates incentives for all parties to maintain peaceful relations. When states know that their own cooperation will be rewarded with similar behavior, and that defection will lead to retaliation or isolation, they are more likely to uphold international norms and agreements. This approach helps build stability, trust, and predictability in international affairs.

Contingent cooperation is a powerful tool for sustaining peace, it requires clear communication, robust verification mechanisms, and a willingness among nations to return to cooperation after breaches occur.