The art of asymmetry in sister city relationships factors analysis

This research aims to bridge the literature gap in Asymmetric Theory. Thus far, studies on Asymmetric explain bilateral relations between countries in terms of cooperation, both economic and political. On the other hand, international relations between Countries are no longer dominated by the Central Government alone, Local Governments are also actors in international relations. It contributed to strengthening the discussion regarding Asymmetric Relations. This study also explained that the Local Government carried out the Sister City Relationship. This research uses a qualitative approach focusing on thematic analysis through the results of document examination in previous research. The analysis tool used is NVivo 12 Plus. The results show asymmetric relations in the Sister City Relationships based on the relationship between the actors involved in the partnership. This research identifies three factors behind the asymmetry in SCR, namely decentralization, paradiplomacy and interdependency. Decentralization as a factor that causes asymmetric relations between the Central and Local Governments; paradiplomacy as a factor that causes asymmetric relations between Local Governments and Society or Community – involved in SCRs; and interdependence as a factor that causes asymmetric relations between cities. The inequality between actors is what causes SCRs to become asymmetrical. This further strengthens the argument that the Asymmetric Theory can be developed to analyze international relations between Local Governments.