Review Article “The Anarchic Structure of World Politics by Kenneth N.Waltz”

This review will explain a little about how the anarchic structure in world politics according to what Kenneth Waltz wrote in his book titled Theory of International Politics. In this chapter, Waltz explains how that system theory of international politics can be understood. As in his book, International politics can be understood first by defining the structure of the system. Waltz offers three terms to define the structure, first of all, the structure must define by its principle how the structure is organized or ordered, and then by the function and differentiation of its every units and their capabilities distribution.
In case of anarchy system where there is an absence of central authority, as in his book, Waltz tried to make an analogy of an international system with micro-economic theory. Anarchy is an principle order of inte$rnational system. Waltz argued that the system itself emerged from “coactions of self-help units”[1]. In a micro theory, the motivation of each actor is commonly assumed than described and always seek a way to make sure their own survival. Even though in the last there are varieties of aim, but surely in the world where is no security guaranteed, survival is the most prerequisite foundation over others.
As all we know that International system is decentralized and hierarchic. In case of that, The international politics is very contrast with domestic politics. In international politics as Waltz said is a “politics in the absence of government” means that there are not only government who has a specific role but also international organization that do exist and always increasing their number in every year while domestic political structures have governmental institution and offices as their concrete counterparts[2].
In the system of international politics, the structure is formed by the coactions of the units. The unit itself is a state. The state live, prosperity, or even ruin it very depend in their own efforts. So that it means the principle structure which is maintained and formed is a self-help action that always exist and appear in each unit of the system. So now, how the structure is generated in international politics? For answering this question, let’s back to what Waltz said about anarchic system. As in his book, he mentioned that as long as there is an anarchic, there is no need to define about what is the structure of international politic because the state is still remains as a unit. Here we have to underline that state is still a units. It means, state is a unit that has an autonomous political responsibility[3] with the similar task with the other non-state actor. But even so, while there are others non-state actor, Waltz still argued that, in neorealist way, states still the most powerful and important actors in world politics so they have to set the rule and influenced in the international system.
The last term is a distribution of capabilities. Here scholars may make a difference between international politics system by counting the numbers of great power. The structure of a system changes with changes in the distribution of capabilities across a system's units.[4] This may seem to violate the concept that structure must be defined independently of the parts of units. The key result from this approach is a "positional picture" that describes a system "in terms of the placement of units rather than in terms of their qualities"[5].
From the review above, may I take some notes that in his book, Waltz try to give an explanation about how important is the structure of international politics itself. His thinking is basically influenced by neorealist concept and economic positivist. It is shown when he tried to give an analogy by taking the microeconomics theory. Waltz argues that microeconomic thinking should explain how states will act. States in the international system are like firms in a domestic economy. Every state has the same fundamental interest: to survive. Even if it wants to do other things, it can't do them unless it survives. Other is, I agree with how the structure of system changes when the distribution of the units capability are also changes. In other words, there is a change in international system when there are great powers that rise and fall. So that the balance of power will shifting. This is factually happen and can be explain in further when we study the history of cold war.
[1] From Kenneth N. Waltz, Anarchic Structure of World Politics in International Politics : Endwing Concept and Contemporary Issue, pp 32-33. 2009.
[2] From Kenneth N. Waltz, Anarchic Structure of World Politics in International Politics : Endwing Concept and Contemporary Issue, pp 32-33. 2009.
[3] Mentioned as “autonomous political units” in “Theory of International Politics” by Kenneth Waltz,pp.95
[4] From Kenneth N. Waltz, Anarchic Structure of World Politics in International Politics : Endwing Concept and Contemporary Issue, pp 38. 2009
[5] From Kenneth N. Waltz, Anarchic Structure of World Politics in International Politics : Endwing Concept and Contemporary Issue, pp 39. 2009