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From international system to international society: structural realism and regime theory meet the English school

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  • Buzan, Barry

Abstract

The idea of international society is an essential element in the study of international relations. International society is the core concept of the English school and has not yet been systematically integrated with American-originated structural realism and regime theory. This article brings together these three bodies of theory and shows how they complement and strengthen each other. It uses structural realism to show that international society is, like balance of power, a natural product of anarchic international relations and not, as some in the English school assume, only a result of exceptional historical circumstances. This line of analysis establishes definitional criteria for international society that enable a clear boundary to be drawn between international systems with and without international societies. It also shows how state-based international society relates to individual-based world society and supports an argument that in advanced systems, this relationship becomes complementary, not contradictory. The resulting theoretical synthesis provides an essential historical and political-legal foundation for regime theory, showing that international society is both the intellectual forebear and the necessary condition for the development of regimes. Connection strengthens all three bodies of theory and opens up useful channels that connect realist and liberal thinking. One result is that international society can be used both to conceptualize the complexities of a contemporary global international system, with its network of regimes ordered in terms of concentric circles, and to sketch out a policy-relevant research agenda for understanding it.

Suggested Citation

  • Buzan, Barry, 1993. "From international system to international society: structural realism and regime theory meet the English school," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 47(3), pages 327-352, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:cup:intorg:v:47:y:1993:i:03:p:327-352_02
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    Cited by:

    1. Jaroslava Jebavá, 2017. "Factors Explaining Engagement Of Non-Governmental Organisations In The Un," Medzinarodne vztahy (Journal of International Relations), Ekonomická univerzita, Fakulta medzinárodných vzťahov, vol. 15(2), pages 121-153.
    2. Boyka M. Stefanova & Paskal Zhelev, 2022. "Testing the Premises of International Society in the European Energy Union: The Pluralism/Solidarism Nexus," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 60(5), pages 1255-1271, September.
    3. Shakthi De Silva, 2015. "Balancing, Bandwagoning or Hedging? Independent Ceylon’s Reaction to Regional Hegemony," South Asian Survey, , vol. 22(2), pages 189-209, September.
    4. Stanislav Mráz, 2017. "State Sovereignty And Humanitarian Intervention," Medzinarodne vztahy (Journal of International Relations), Ekonomická univerzita, Fakulta medzinárodných vzťahov, vol. 15(2), pages 154-162.
    5. Karol R. Sorby, 2017. "MENDEL, MILOŠ: DĚJINY SAÚDSKÉ ARÁBIE, Praha: Nakladatelství Lidové noviny, 2016, 400 s. ISBN 978-80-7422-499-7," Medzinarodne vztahy (Journal of International Relations), Ekonomická univerzita, Fakulta medzinárodných vzťahov, vol. 15(2), pages 208-210.
    6. Chris Brown, 2009. "The Development of International Relations Theory in the United Kingdom," International Studies, , vol. 46(1-2), pages 221-237, January.
    7. Dahlia Patricia Sterling, 2017. "China’S Role And Status In International Society: Should Its Rise Be Perceived As A ‘Threat’?," Eurasian Journal of Social Sciences, Eurasian Publications, vol. 5(4), pages 23-33.
    8. Mayntz, Renate, 2000. "Politikwissenschaft in einer entgrenzten Welt," MPIfG Discussion Paper 00/3, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies.
    9. Ecker, Matthias, 1999. "Political boundary making toward Poland: Social identities and interest-formation in German elite reasoning," Discussion Papers, Research Group International Politics P 99-307, WZB Berlin Social Science Center.
    10. Katharina McLarren, 2023. "Religion as ‘Prime Institution’ of International Society," International Studies, , vol. 60(1), pages 7-28, January.
    11. Devika Sharma, 2014. "Turning the Outside In," South Asian Survey, , vol. 21(1-2), pages 260-277, March.
    12. Ali Onur TEPECIKLIOGLU, 2016. "An Analysis of the World Society Conceptualization in the English School," Ege Academic Review, Ege University Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, vol. 16(4), pages 733-743.
    13. Elizabeth M. Moore & Kristin Brandl & Luis Alfonso Dau, 2023. "Intergovernmental organizations, institutional schisms, and business environments," Journal of International Business Policy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 6(2), pages 141-158, June.
    14. Iwona Pawlas, 2017. "The Evaluation Of Polish-Slovak Trade Relations Between 2010 And 2015," Medzinarodne vztahy (Journal of International Relations), Ekonomická univerzita, Fakulta medzinárodných vzťahov, vol. 15(2), pages 163-181.
    15. Martina Ponížilová, 2017. "Stability Of Regional Orders In Contemporary International System: A Framework For Analysis," Medzinarodne vztahy (Journal of International Relations), Ekonomická univerzita, Fakulta medzinárodných vzťahov, vol. 15(2), pages 182-207.

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