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International Relations & Diplomacy vocabulary · Theories of International Relations

Anarchy

Meaning in international relations & diplomacy, with examples

/ˈænəki/nounCommon term

In international relations & diplomacy, anarchy means: In IR theory, the absence of a world government above states, so that each state must rely on itself for its security; it does not necessarily mean chaos.

In Turkish: anarşi, uluslararası anarşi

How it is used

A starting point of realist and liberal theories. Writers speak of 'international anarchy', 'an anarchic system' and 'self-help under anarchy'. Theories disagree about what anarchy leads to: competition, cooperation, or whatever states make of it.

Example sentences

  1. Under anarchy, there is no world police force to protect states from each other.

  2. Realists see anarchy as the main cause of competition among states.

  3. The lecture explained how anarchy in IR differs from disorder.

Common collocations

  • international anarchy
  • anarchic system
  • self-help under anarchy
  • condition of anarchy
  • realismA major theory of international relations holding that states are the main actors, that they pursue power and security in an anarchic system, and that conflict is always possible.
  • security dilemmaA situation in which one state's efforts to make itself safer, such as buying weapons, make other states feel less safe, so they respond and overall insecurity rises.
  • constructivismA theory of international relations holding that ideas, identities and shared norms, not only material power, shape how states see their interests and how they behave.
  • sovereigntyThe full right and power of a state to govern its own territory and people without outside interference; a basic principle of the modern international system.

More terms: Theories of International Relations

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