The Anarchical Society Summary

Hedley Bull asks how order can exist in international politics when there is no world government above sovereign states. He accepts that the international system is anarchic, but he argues that anarchy does not mean complete chaos. Countries form an “international society” when they recognize common interests, accept certain rules and participate in shared institutions. These institutions include diplomacy, international law, the balance of power, war under certain restraints and the special responsibilities exercised by great powers. Bull’s argument stands between strict realism and liberal idealism. Like realists, he recognizes sovereignty, power and conflict. Like liberals, he believes that rules, communication and institutions can meaningfully influence state behaviour. His main insight is that international order is possible without creating a single global government because states themselves can maintain a limited society of rules and practices.

1. International anarchy means the absence of a supreme world government.

1. Anarchy is not the same as total disorder or permanent warfare.

1. A system of states exists when states interact regularly and affect one another’s calculations.

1. An international society exists when states recognize common interests, rules, values and institutions.

1. Diplomacy allows states to communicate, negotiate and understand one another’s positions.

1. International law creates accepted standards even though enforcement remains imperfect.

1. The balance of power can protect the independence of states by preventing universal domination.

1. Great powers have greater influence but may also carry special responsibilities for maintaining order.

1. Bull distinguishes international order from international justice because a system may be orderly without being completely fair.

1. Important quotation: “It is better to recognise that we are in darkness than to pretend that we can see the light.” The statement encourages intellectual honesty when the future of world order remains uncertain.