Can states cooperate without a global police force to enforce peace?

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 28 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: International relations faces a fundamental paradox: how do nations work together when there is no overarching authority to stop them from fighting? Scholars have grappled with this question since the time of Thucydides, seeking to understand the incentives that drive spontaneous cooperation in an anarchic world.

The core challenge of international relations lies in 'international anarchy'—a state of affairs where no central government exists to govern the behavior of sovereign nations. Without a global police force to deter aggression, states must navigate a landscape of constant temptation and risk. This creates a complex environment where cooperation is not guaranteed by law, but must be forged through specific incentives and structural conditions.

To understand why wars happen or peace persists, scholars often turn to bargaining theory. By applying insights from economics, this framework examines how interactions can fail due to three primary factors: commitment problems (where one side fears the other won't stick to a deal), incomplete information (not knowing the other's true capabilities or intentions), and general bargaining breakdowns. These mechanics explain why even rational actors might find themselves pushed toward conflict. This economic lens helps explain why specific treaties might fail to prevent violence. It also provides a framework for analyzing how trade and foreign aid influence global stability.

Modern research expands this analysis beyond state-level economics by incorporating human elements like psychology, leadership styles, and domestic politics. Furthermore, the study of cooperation looks at how international institutions—such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organization—serve as mechanisms to facilitate interaction. By examining these variables alongside historical cases like the origins of World War I or modern issues like climate change and terrorism, researchers aim to map the evolution of how humanity balances its drive for conflict with its need for collective survival. The curriculum specifically investigates the Cult of the Offensive as it relates to historical events like World War I. Students also analyze the role of tariffs and free trade policy in shaping state behavior.

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