Introduction: The Idea of the International Society
The world consists of political communities- groups that want to govern
themselves
There are relations between political communities: ‘international relations’
Political communities differ.
Is this ‘International Society’ a thing? Yes
Broad definition:
→Anywhere where there is interaction between political communities. This
interaction is governed by common rules and practices
Narrow Definition:
→The emergence of the European State system (sovereign and independent
nations) from complex medieval systems
Where did it all start..?
We developed from a barbaric violent world to one that is now divided into
defined territories with rules within and amongst nations
1600s: European states emerged as the 1st ‘International Society’
Non-intervention
International law
Sovereign equality
Diplomacy
Balance of power
Standards of civilisation; values, rules and institutions
The English School of Thought said the following about this ‘International
Society’:
Everyone should accept the state as the highest form of power (sovereignty)
, No one state shall rule over another; all states are equal (non-
interventionism)
Power struggles are inevitable; can only be limited by balance of power
Developed to counteract colonialism and to establish a standard civilisation
‘International Society’ was originally coined to depict the European State
System
Today ‘International Society’ refers to all political communities (e.g. countries)
that organise themselves according to:
Non-intervention
International law
Sovereign equality
Diplomacy
Balance of power
Ancient Worlds
So where were we before the ‘International Society’ emerged in the 1600s?
Ancient worlds – think medieval Europe and Islam territories across North
Africa, Middle East and parts of Asia
Territories had to be defined
Increasing trade relations – had to manage these
Need for mutual understanding and rules
Relations then were violent
Fixed territories AND growing economic complexity and diversity, led to
increase in trade relations and need for mutual understanding and rules
Who were these international societies?
Middle East
Greece
The world consists of political communities- groups that want to govern
themselves
There are relations between political communities: ‘international relations’
Political communities differ.
Is this ‘International Society’ a thing? Yes
Broad definition:
→Anywhere where there is interaction between political communities. This
interaction is governed by common rules and practices
Narrow Definition:
→The emergence of the European State system (sovereign and independent
nations) from complex medieval systems
Where did it all start..?
We developed from a barbaric violent world to one that is now divided into
defined territories with rules within and amongst nations
1600s: European states emerged as the 1st ‘International Society’
Non-intervention
International law
Sovereign equality
Diplomacy
Balance of power
Standards of civilisation; values, rules and institutions
The English School of Thought said the following about this ‘International
Society’:
Everyone should accept the state as the highest form of power (sovereignty)
, No one state shall rule over another; all states are equal (non-
interventionism)
Power struggles are inevitable; can only be limited by balance of power
Developed to counteract colonialism and to establish a standard civilisation
‘International Society’ was originally coined to depict the European State
System
Today ‘International Society’ refers to all political communities (e.g. countries)
that organise themselves according to:
Non-intervention
International law
Sovereign equality
Diplomacy
Balance of power
Ancient Worlds
So where were we before the ‘International Society’ emerged in the 1600s?
Ancient worlds – think medieval Europe and Islam territories across North
Africa, Middle East and parts of Asia
Territories had to be defined
Increasing trade relations – had to manage these
Need for mutual understanding and rules
Relations then were violent
Fixed territories AND growing economic complexity and diversity, led to
increase in trade relations and need for mutual understanding and rules
Who were these international societies?
Middle East
Greece
