POL208Y1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Negative And Positive Rights, Robert Keohane, The Wheel Of Time
Document Summary
If there is anarchy, then you are in the state of nature: the fact that we have theories for the international system, we know that it is anarchic. Although there is anarchy, this dose not mean that there is complete chaos. There are still forms of structure that could still be put in place. Even in war which has chaos, there is still structure. If there is disorder, there is the potential for violence, but it does not mean that it will occur. In the international system, it looks as if there is no laws: however, there are. The problem is how do you enforce them. Survival: we look for the care of our survival, we, as sovereign states, can only trust ourselves. In this sense, we should only follow our self interests. There is a constant potential for violence. Therefore, you are always ready and alert and possess the capabilities to defend yourself.
