In Chase of Vanishing Poles: Gaps in Conceptualization of International Politics

This paper offers an overview of the academic and practical discussion on ‘polarity’ as a fundamental element of the system of international relations and IR theory. The history of the question shows that the abstract, speculative, and essentially reductionist concept of the ‘pole’ hit the taste of political leaders as an indicator of a country’s power potential and international status, and a pillar of the world order. An academic concept has eventually turned into an instrument of international politics. As a result, the current ‘polar’ discussion has got stuck, unable to expand the analytical framework beyond the concepts that emerged in a completely different historical era. Today, the discussion about ‘poles’ constantly leads the academic community away from studying the reality of world politics, shifting the focus to a plot that has little to do with the changes that form the fabric of international life. Hence it seems it is the time to close it.