Navigating the Iron Cage of Anarchic International Politics

International politics operates within an anarchic system that fosters inevitable security competition among states. This competition is driven by the need to avoid potential humiliation or aggression from more powerful states, prompting nations to seek power at each other's expense. While war may arise from this competition, it is crucial to differentiate between inevitable security competition and the actual outbreak of war. Historical precedents, like the Cold War, show that while conflicts can often be avoided, the unpredictability of great power dynamics leaves no guarantees. The distressing nature of this reality underscores the complexity of global relations.