Fluctuation–Resilience Synthesis: An Integrative Framework for Security in International Relations

Abstract

In the context of twenty‑first‑century security, traditional state‑centric paradigms in International Relations, grounded in power politics and territorial sovereignty, prove increasingly inadequate for addressing hybrid and transboundary threats. The study argues that effective security requires a synthesis of state‑centric protection and resilience‑oriented adaptation, conceptualized through the Fluctuation–Resilience Synthesis framework. The study examines how security frameworks can integrate defense and resilience logics, and how this synthesis manifests in fragile state contexts. Using Nepal as a case study, the research employs a qualitative‑dominant mixed‑methods design combining surveys (n=152), key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. Data were analyzed through thematic coding and descriptive statistics. Findings indicate that although state‑centric approaches remain prominent, 72% of respondents highlighted the growing importance of human, environmental, and technological security. While military preparedness continues to shape policy, resilience operates as the integrative capacity enabling adaptation to complex, fluctuating risks. The findings reveal a cyclical coexistence of traditional and human‑focused logics, confirming the practical and conceptual validity of the FRS model. These findings underscore the necessity of adaptive, context‑sensitive security frameworks. By theorizing the temporal fluctuation and layered coexistence of conventional and resilience‑based logics, the study advances an integrative paradigm of security governance and offers policy‑relevant insights for fragile states confronting multidimensional threats. Unlike existing hybrid security models, FRS does not merely combine domains of security but conceptualizes their temporal fluctuation and layered coexistence, with resilience functioning as a stabilizing meta capacity rather than a standalone policy tool.