Anarchy in international relations

Anarchy in international relations describes that the world system is leaderless: there is no universal sovereign or worldwide government. There is thus no hierarchically superior, coercive power that can resolve disputes or order the system like there is in the domestic level.

Political scientists do not use the term "anarchy" to signify a world in chaos, in disorder, or in conflict. It simply reflects the order of the international system: independent states with no central authority above them.^[1]

The concept of anarchy is the foundation for realist, liberal, neorealist, and neoliberal international relations theories. Constructivist theory disputes that anarchy is a fundamental condition of the international system, saying that "anarchy is what states make of it". In other words, state actors seek to instill the view that anarchy is intrinsic to the international system, so that the status quo is not challenged by anyone. (Alexander Wendt).

[edit] Related topics

• Negarchy
• Panarchy

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Anarchy from the Internet Encyclopedia of International Relations.

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