Conflict Formations in Contemporary International Society

In: Journal of peace research, Band 10, Heft 3, S. 163-184

Abstract

It is asserted that the development of capitalism & anticapitalist movements in international politics has led to the globalization of international politics & to the emergence of an international society. This society is conceived as an antagonistic totality composed of the following conflict formations: Intercapitalist, West-East, North-South, intersocialist, inner-Third World, & formations of structural violence where international & national conflict formations intersect. Fundamental principles of peace & social justice in international society are discussed. Preliminary remarks are included regarding the foundation of a structural theory of international society. Further analysis of international society will have to examine the production relations & the exchange relations emerging from them on a world scale. The theorem of unequal & combined development is given special attention & value. This theoretical basis lends itself to an understanding of the causes of regularities of conflict formation. This is a departure from the highly abstract approaches of the past 10 years, particularly conventional systems analyses. Modified Author's Summary.