Taking into account a great tension which exists in international relations nowadays, it is possible to say that the question of force and balance of power in a certain state obtains a great significance. The work Anarchic Orders and Balances of Power by Kenneth N. Waltz investigates this issue.
In this work, the author describes the functioning of different systems, which guarantee the existence of any state and cogitates about such issues as power, force, international relations, and different forms of organization of the state. Basing on the great importance of these issues for understanding the functioning of modern society, it is possible to analyze this work.
From the very beginning, the author states the fact that the existence of every state is impossible without violence. This statement is explained by the fact that every country can use force to solve some problems. That is why all other states should be ready to answer or abandon themselves to a conquerors mercy. Due to this fact, the modern world lives in a constant expectation of war, as states do not want to be victims and lose their sovereignty. This fact has a great influence on international affairs and the work of a government if it exists. However, the absence or presence of the government does not guaranty the lack of military threat.
The author also cogitates about the use of force in internal affairs, which turned out to be not less devastating and disastrous than some external conflicts. The author gives evidences, describing some civil conflicts and the number of victims in them. Having outlined these facts, the author comes to the conclusion that there is no difference in using force for internal or external affairs, as they both trigger the appearance of fear, violence, and devastations. That is why the difference in national and international policies, the author sees not in the use of force, but in different ways of organizing models, according to which state functions.
The author also discusses the issue of international interests, its importance, and priority over other needs. To be more precise, the author says about the predominance of national affairs over inner ones. He underlines the fact that leading states should do everything in order to guarantee the worlds survival and its further development.
Basing on this fact, they should pay much more attention to international affairs, trying to save existing world order and not let the world lung into the quagmire of chaos. Having explained the distinction between macro and micro theories in economics, the author uses the same patterns to show predominance of international interests.
The author cogitates about the existence of different political structures, underlining the fact that in states where neither anarchic nor hierarchic structures exist, some other sort of structure should be present. Basing on this statement, the author says that all societies are mixed in their nature, combining elements of anarchic and hierarchic structures. However, the author discusses the existence of clear borderlines between these structures, trying to find the answer, and giving some examples.
This work also introduces the balance-of-power theory. According to this theory, the main aim of every state is to guarantee its existence or establish a balance of power in the world. Moreover, some of the states have their own aim, which is universal domination.
The author cogitates about the advantages and disadvantages of this theory, underlining the fact that if this balance is desired, some state which works for its maintenance and guarantees its presence should exist. That is why, according to this theory, some states are expected to behave in the way which will lead to the forming of the balance. However, this tendency is not observed; that is why this theory can be taken as incomplete.