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The lack of a supreme authority in the international system of states. One of the central concepts in the realist theory of international relations is the concept of anarchy. Unlike its common usage in reference to chaos, in international relations, anarchy simply refers to the fact that within the international system of states, there is no governing power above the level of the state.

From this understanding of the international system as anarchy, realist theories of international relations understand state behavior as inherently competitive. States in the international system are continually vying for power and trying to ensure their survival because ...

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