Global Disorder: A Blind Spot or Distinct Concept of the International Society Approach?

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.

Globalizing the international: Bull's metaphysics of order

“… 26 McKeil (2022) shows how a purposive conception of disorder in world politics is also present in Bull's work. Here I'm referring to the disorder that for Bull precedes any purposiveness and is expressed through the distinction between aggregate and system.…”