Global disorder: a blind spot or distinct concept of the international society approach?

Mckeil, Aaron ORCID: 0000-0003-1649-0019 (2022) Global disorder: a blind spot or distinct concept of the international society approach? Global Studies Quarterly, 2 (4). ISSN 2634-3797

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Abstract

The international society approach to the study of international relations has advanced a distinct understanding of international order in world politics. Does this approach therefore also implicitly have a distinct understanding of disorder in world politics, too? From a close reading of this literature, and the writings of Hedley Bull in particular, I argue that a “purposive” understanding of disorder in world politics is evident, as well as a set of sociological explanations of it, including hierarchy conflict, political value conflict, and the structural contradictions of international society. I suggest that this approach is more insightful and promising for studying increasing manifestations of disorder in world politics than alternative realist approaches. Finally, I make the case that this concept's analytical utility and theoretical role in this approach is the assessment of the continued viability of international society as a path to order in world politics.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	https://academic.oup.com/isagsq
Additional Information:	© 2022 The Author(s).
Divisions:	LSE IDEAS
Subjects:	J Political Science > JZ International relations
Date Deposited:	13 Jan 2023 16:12
Last Modified:	30 Oct 2025 00:21
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/117896

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