In the discipline of International Relations, the concept of “anarchy” is commonly used in two main senses. In the first sense, anarchy refers to a situation in which there is no overarching authority governing the interactions between individuals or states. This authority is typically understood as a government or an institutional structure. Therefore, anarchy can be defined as the absence of a state, a centralized administrative system, or any higher governing body. The term itself derives from the Greek word anarkhia, meaning “without a ruler” or “lack of leadership.”

The second usage of anarchy is associated with chaos and disorder. However, there is no necessary connection between these two meanings. The absence of authority does not inevitably lead to disorder, and disorder does not necessarily stem from a lack of governance. Some theories in International Relations argue that order can emerge even in the absence of a central authority. This perspective has made anarchy one of the central and most debated concepts in the field.

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