ABSTRACT
International relations (IR) have been conventionally defined in contrast to the order of modern political community, the nation-state (see Wight 1966; cf. Ashley 1987:413). Inside, there is a peaceful social order, perhaps a good way of life and shared security, or welfare, or justice or democracy-or at least the possibility of progress towards achieving them. Outside, however, a state of nature or war prevails. As long as there is no social contract, and a resulting state (or something equivalent), the international sphere must be a struggle for power, peace and survival. Put schematically:
Arg. (a) (Pr. 1) There are sovereign nation-states that have an administrative staff and a legitimate monopoly over violence in their own territory.
