This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Wendt, A. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Why a World State is Inevitable

University of Chicago

Long dismissed as unscientific, teleological explanation has been undergoing something of a revival as a result of the emergence of self-organization theory, which combines micro-level dynamics with macro-level boundary conditions to explain the tendency of systems to develop toward stable end-states. On that methodological basis this article argues that a global monopoly on the legitimate use of organized violence — a world state — is inevitable. At the micro-level world state formation is driven by the struggle of individuals and groups for recognition of their subjectivity. At the macro-level this struggle is channeled toward a world state by the logic of anarchy, which generates a tendency for military technology and war to become increasingly destructive. The process moves through five stages, each responding to the instabilities of the one before — a system of states, a society of states, world society, collective security, and the world state. Human agency matters all along the way, but is increasingly constrained and enabled by the requirements of universal recognition.

Key Words: cultures of anarchy • downward causation • logic of anarchy • self-organization • struggle for recognition • teleology • world state

European Journal of International Relations, Vol. 9, No. 4, 491-542 (2003)
DOI: 10.1177/135406610394001


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. Melander, M. Oberg, and J. Hall Are 'New Wars' More Atrocious? Battle Severity, Civilians Killed and Forced Migration Before and After the End of the Cold War European Journal of International Relations, September 1, 2009; 15(3): 505 - 536. [Abstract] [PDF]

				V. P. Shannon Wendt's Violation of the Constructivist Project: Agency and Why a World State is Not Inevitable European Journal of International Relations, December 1, 2005; 11(4): 581 - 587. [PDF]

				A. Wendt Agency, Teleology and the World State: A Reply to Shannon European Journal of International Relations, December 1, 2005; 11(4): 589 - 598. [PDF]

				C. Bjola Legitimating the Use of Force in International Politics: A Communicative Action Perspective European Journal of International Relations, June 1, 2005; 11(2): 266 - 303. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. E. Goddard and D. H. Nexon Paradigm Lost? Reassessing Theory of International Politics European Journal of International Relations, March 1, 2005; 11(1): 9 - 61. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. Guzzini The Enduring Dilemmas of Realism in International Relations European Journal of International Relations, December 1, 2004; 10(4): 533 - 568. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. Archibugi Cosmopolitan Democracy and its Critics: A Review European Journal of International Relations, September 1, 2004; 10(3): 437 - 473. [Abstract] [PDF]