PLURILATERALISM - STRUCTURAL DIFFERENTIATION AND FUNCTIONAL CONFLICT IN THE POST-COLD-WAR WORLD-ORDER

In contrast to orthodox neorealist models of 'anarchic' versus 'hierarchical' structures, this article explores the hypothesis that the international system today is becoming increasingly characterized by a polyarchic or 'plurilateral' structure. This fundamental paradigmatic shift is the consequence of a long-term underlying transformation of the system from (in Durkheim's terms) a 'simple' to a 'complex' structure. It is argued here that the interpenetrated character of these diverse structures, in conjunction with 'overlapping memberships' or 'cross-cutting affiliations', is creating a situation in which 'segmental participation in a multiplicity of conflicts constitutes a balancing mechanism within the structure.'