The Anarchical Society

About “The Anarchical Society”

The Anarchical Society: A Study of Order in World Politics is a 1977 book by Hedley Bull, considered a foundational work of the English School of international relations theory. The book examines the concept of anarchy in the international system, which refers to the absence of a central authority. Despite this anarchy, Bull argues that an international society exists, characterized by shared norms, rules, and institutions that help maintain order among states. The work explores how cooperation and structure can emerge even in a system without a global government. (Summary adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.)