Understanding the International System

International Relations is becoming increasingly relevant as the world grows more and more interconnected through trade and commerce, migration, the internet and social media, as well as through concerns about pressing global environmental problems. As a field of study, International Relations addresses international political economy, global governance, intercultural relations, national and ethnic identities, foreign policy analysis, development studies, environment, international security, diplomacy, terrorism, media, social movements and much more. Studying International Relations can help to understand the way the world works, and how nations and large international organisations operate.

To understand international relations and its various dynamics, it is important to have a proper understanding of the structure and system in which this whole process of interaction among states and entities takes place. Without discerning the nature of the international system, it is impossible to have a clear, holistic view of world affairs. So, the students of IR and Strategic Studies must have a clear perspective on the nature of the international system so that they could provide an informed and objective analysis on international issues.

The Realist school of thought gives a unique primacy to the international system and international order among the factors defining the nature, characteristics and various dynamics of global politics. Historically, it was the Westphalian sovereignty that practically ruled out any possibility for the states to be governed by any centrally competent authority, the orders of which must be taken by states as obligatory. Although it has now become more systematic anarchy, this nature of the international system is not necessarily a by-product of Peace of Westphalia, 1648. Neorealists count the anarchic structure of the international system as the basis of why the nations act and react the way they do in the international arena. This anarchy has left the states with no other option but to accumulate maximum power and to remain sceptic of the intentions of all; friends and foes alike.

The implications of the prevailing anarchic international system for peace, security and stability of the world are grave. Accumulation of power, realists believe, is the only way to ensure a state’s survival as well as to gain some ‘worth’ for it among the comity of nations. In this structure, no weaker nation is obliged for anything. As there is no morality, no compassion, no legal consideration in international relations for any state, So to remain weaker is the ‘original sin’. Realists, keeping in view the structure, are pessimistic in their opinion about the possibility of a lasting peace among the states.

The United Nations was founded in the post-World War II era to avoid any other such human catastrophe in the future. Realistically, this world body was established on the idea that it will function as a world government and will perform as a regulatory authority above states so that any clash of interest among them may not lead to war. However, firstly, it was not a practical idea in a world comprising sovereign nation-states because no state would be willing to surrender its power and interests to any other power or organization. Secondly, the idealism of establishing justice through the UN was even flouted when five great powers – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States – were given the veto power in UN Security Council. Further, countless flaws in the UN’s structure make it just a rubber stamp in the hands of big powers, rendering it impotent to resolve the gigantic issues—from Kashmir to Palestine and so on. The UN has repeatedly proved itself a pawn in the hands of its largest donor, the incumbent superpower, the United States. Practically, these powerful countries have no obligations to the UN, howsoever flagrant violators of the UN Charter they might be. So, the realists posit that there is, literally, no real central authority is present on the world stage.

The absence of a higher authority to enforce laws or to regulate relations between and among nation-states means no limit to hostilities. “Troops are abruptly mobilized without apparent warning and – it seems – appropriate justification. Two old foes are suddenly toasting each other in an ancient, decorated conference hall. Rifts, crises and confrontations seem to erupt suddenly.” It’s actually a zero-sum game, all versus all. Alliances are temporary, friendships are uncertain, and convergences are time-bound. The only permanent in this system is a state’s own self; its cherished interests.

Anarchy, however, does not necessarily mean chaos or use of uncurbed violence. There are some ways, per the realists, to have a ‘controlled anarchy’ and to achieve a kind of order and stability in which unrestricted or widespread violence may be avoided. For this, states constitute alliances; formulate regimes for attaining a balance of power. So, despite the absence of any law-enforcing authority in the international arena, a balance of power between rival powers or rival poles can deter them from unleashing misadventures. Then, another way to achieve international stability is through ‘hegemonic stability.’ Understandably, the Hegemonic Stability theory is not averse to the core of realist tradition. In the words of Joshua S. Goldstein, hegemonic stability is “when a hegemon exercises leadership, either through diplomacy, coercion or persuasion; it is actually deploying its ‘preponderance of power’. It means a state’s power or capacity to “single-handedly dominate the rules and arrangements of international political and economic relations.” Both the concepts – balance of power and hegemonic stability – can be better understood through the system of polarity, which, according to experts, is about the number of great powers leading or dominating the global stage. It is the presence of poles or groups of states with distribution of powers on the world stage that depicts where material power is concentrated in the world.

Related MCQs

1. The book of Hadiths “A-Shafia al-Sadiqa” is Narrated by whom? (CSS 2022 Islamic Studies Paper)

   • Muhammad ibn Ya’qub al Kuylani al Razi
   • Muhammad ibn Babuya & AI Tahdhib
   • Abdullah Bin Amar (رضی اللّٰہ عنہ)
   • None of these

   Submitted by: CSS Exam Desk Team

2. The SYNONYM of the word \"SLEAZY\" is? (CSS 2019 English Precis & Composition Paper)

   • Fine
   • Corrupt
   • Pleasant
   • Respectable

   Submitted by: CSS Exam Desk Team

3. When Ghazwah Ahzab was fought? (CSS 2023 Islamic Studies Paper)

   • 5 AH
   • 6 AH
   • 7 AH
   • 9 AH

   Submitted by: CSS Exam Desk Team

4. Carbohydrate content in potato (per 100g) is? (CSS 2016 General Science & Ability Paper)

   • 18g
   • 13g
   • 25g
   • 26g

   Submitted by: CSS Exam Desk Team

5. As per the Government of Indian Act 1858, the transfer of the control of the Government of Indianfrom the East Indian Company and assumption by the Crown was to be announced by Queen’s Proclamation, which was accordingly read in a Darbar. Where was this Darbar held? (CSS 2011 Pakistan Affairs Paper)

   • Calcutta
   • Delhi
   • Allahabad
   • None of these

   Submitted by: CSS Exam Desk Team

6. Ship mounted energy project (activated in Pakistan: 2010) is sponsored by? (CSS 2011 Current Affairs Paper)

   • Saudi Arabia
   • China
   • Turkey
   • None of these

   Submitted by: CSS Exam Desk Team

7. Where, during the War of Independence, was Sir Syed Ahmed Khan working/ posted? (CSS 2011 Pakistan Affairs Paper)

   • Delhi
   • Bijnaur
   • Aligarh
   • None of these

   Submitted by: CSS Exam Desk Team

8. Who is Stanley McChrystal? (CSS 2010 Current Affairs Paper)

   • Commander US forces in Afghanistan
   • Head of the US Central Command (CENTCOM)
   • NATO Commander in Afghanistan
   • None of these

   Submitted by: CSS Exam Desk Team

9. By how many member(s) the Executive Council of the Governor General was enlarged under the Indian Council Act of 1861? (CSS 2011 Pakistan Affairs Paper)

   • One member
   • Two members
   • Four members
   • None of these

   Submitted by: CSS Exam Desk Team

10. The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) advised the name of Hazrat Abubakr( رضي الله عنه) after embracing Islam as? (CSS 2023 Special Islamic Studies Paper)

    • Abubakar( رضي الله عنه)
    • Abdullah (رضي الله عنه)
    • Abdur Rehman( رضي الله عنه )
    • Abul Wafa( رضي الله عنه)

    Submitted by: CSS Exam Desk Team

11. \'All-out war\' against Al-Shabaab was launched by? (CSS 2023 Current Affairs Paper)

    • Iran
    • Somalia
    • Pakistan
    • None of these

    Submitted by: CSS Exam Desk Team

12. Commonwealth Day In Annually Celebrated on? (CSS 2020 Current Affairs Paper)

    • 1 st March
    • 31 st March
    • Second Monday Of March
    • None of these

    Submitted by: CSS Exam Desk Team

13. Which of the following was/were the drawback(s) of the government of Indian Act 1858? (CSS 2011 Pakistan Affairs Paper)

    • Control of the Secretary of State for India and his council was bureaucratic in nature
    • Expenses of the Secretary of State for India and his Council became a burden on Indianrevenues
    • Both of these
    • None of these

    Submitted by: CSS Exam Desk Team

14. The usual raw material for ceramics, generally found beneath the top soil is? (CSS 2011 General Science & Ability Paper)

    • Silt
    • Clay
    • Sand
    • Plaster of Paris

    Submitted by: CSS Exam Desk Team

15. Which country is known as the “Land of Prophets”?

    • Iraq
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Palestine
    • Syria

    Submitted by: CSS Exam Desk Team

16. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan established a Translation Society (later, renamed as ‘Scientific society’) in1864. In which town was it founded? (CSS 2011 Pakistan Affairs Paper)

    • Bijnaur
    • Aligarh
    • Ghazipur
    • None of these

    Submitted by: CSS Exam Desk Team

17. The ready source of energy for athletes is? (CSS 2015 General Science & Ability Paper)

    • Fats
    • Glucose
    • Starch
    • Carbohydrates

    Submitted by: CSS Exam Desk Team

18. Asian Development Bank was established in? (CSS 2011 Current Affairs Paper)

    • 1964
    • 1966
    • 1968
    • 1960

    Submitted by: CSS Exam Desk Team

19. Tell the name of first mosque built by Holy prophet Muhammad (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم)? (CSS 2020 Islamic Studies Paper)

    • Masjid Nabwi
    • Masjid Al Haram
    • Masjid Quba
    • Masjid Aqsa

    Submitted by: CSS Exam Desk Team

20. Name the 8th months of Islamic Calendar? (CSS 2010 Islamic Studies Paper)

    • Rabi-ul-Awal
    • Rajab
    • Ramzan
    • Shaban

    Submitted by: CSS Exam Desk Team

21. Arachnophobia is refer to a fear of? (CSS 2012 General Science & Ability Paper)

    • Bats
    • Spiders
    • Snakes
    • None of these

    Submitted by: CSS Exam Desk Team

22. tafsir bil rai means? (CSS 2012 Islamic Studies Paper)

    • ijtehad
    • copy
    • learn
    • conveying

    Submitted by: CSS Exam Desk Team

23. Nervous system in human body consists of? (CSS 2011 General Science & Ability Paper)

    • Brain and nerves
    • Brain and spinal cord
    • Spinal cord and nerves
    • Brain, spinal cord and nerves

    Submitted by: CSS Exam Desk Team

24. Which country is known as the “Land of Prophet”? (CSS 2013 Islamic Studies Paper)

    • Iraq
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Palestine
    • Syria

    Submitted by: CSS Exam Desk Team

25. Which one of these is a metamorphic rock? (CSS 2023 General Science & Ability Paper)

    • Granite
    • Marble
    • Sandstone
    • Limestone

    Submitted by: CSS Exam Desk Team