Fractured world map with chess pieces symbolizing global conflict, featuring a subtle image of Thomas Hobbes.

Global Conflict Unveiled: Can Ancient Theories Explain Today's Wars?

Jordan Keane in Global Affairs August 2025 • 4 min read.

"From Iraq to Georgia, see how Hobbes and Locke's contrasting ideas shape our understanding of international relations and the pursuit of peace in a chaotic world."

The quest for understanding the roots of conflict and violence has occupied thinkers for centuries. According to Hobbesian theory, conflict is an unavoidable aspect of human existence, leading to a perpetual state of anarchy. This idea, while stark, prompts us to question the underlying causes of global disorder, a debate particularly relevant among political theorists.

To shed light on this complex issue, we examine contemporary conflicts, such as the war in Iraq and Russia's war with Georgia in 2008, through the lenses of classical political theory. By applying, comparing, and contrasting the ideas of Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan and John Locke's The Second Treatise of Civil Government, we aim to dissect the chaotic state of the modern world system.

Our analysis reveals the shortcomings of Lockean theory in fully explaining the anarchic nature of international relations. Beyond this comparison, we also address the limitations of international law as a system for maintaining global order. We question the efficacy and legality of actions like the United States' second invasion of Iraq, considering their broader impact on international law and the pursuit of global peace.

Why Does Conflict Persist? Understanding War in the 21st Century

Fractured world map with chess pieces symbolizing global conflict, featuring a subtle image of Thomas Hobbes.

International law, intended to provide a framework for order, faces challenges in a world where nations interpret and adhere to its principles differently. While many advocate for universal accountability under international law, achieving this goal is complex. Force often becomes a tool to ensure compliance, highlighting the critical roles of political, cultural, social, and economic factors in the acceptance and enforcement of international norms.

The ambiguity surrounding the ultimate goals of international law raises a fundamental question: Does it foster peace and cooperation, or merely contain violence, conflict, and war? This debate traces back to ancient Greece, where philosophers like Plato explored principles of equilibrium in both the individual soul and the city-state. The rise of cosmopolitanism in the 18th century further emphasized the need for international order, grappling with issues of state sovereignty, social order, and political stability.

Sovereignty vs. Global Order: Balancing national interests with international legal standards.
The Role of Force: Examining when and how military intervention aligns with international law.
Cultural and Religious Impacts: Understanding how diverse beliefs affect compliance with international norms.

Modern international law, while striving for a new dispensation, often struggles to effectively address global conflict. The ‘Interaction Variables Model’ illustrates the complexities of the international system, highlighting independent and dependent variables that contribute to a state of nature characterized by ongoing tensions and potential for conflict.

Finding Order in Anarchy: Towards a New Understanding of Global Relations

The international system remains anarchic, with the reasons for this state hotly debated. By examining the Iraq War and the Russia-Georgia conflict through the theories of Hobbes and Locke, we find that Hobbesian theory offers a more compelling explanation for today's international anarchy. International law, while intended to establish order, is often undermined by the actions of powerful nations. The Iraq case exemplifies the diminishing role of international institutions when faced with unilateral actions by superpowers. Ultimately, understanding the dynamics of global conflict requires acknowledging the enduring relevance of classical political theories and their implications for international relations.

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Everything You Need To Know

How do the theories of Hobbes and Locke explain the persistence of conflict in the modern world?

Hobbesian theory views conflict as an inherent aspect of human nature, leading to a perpetual state of anarchy. This perspective is applied to contemporary conflicts like the Iraq War and the Russia-Georgia conflict. In contrast, Lockean theory, focusing on individual rights and limited government, struggles to fully explain the anarchic nature of international relations. The article suggests that Hobbesian theory offers a more compelling explanation for the ongoing tensions within the international system, highlighting the limitations of international law and the actions of powerful nations.

What role does international law play in maintaining global order, and what challenges does it face?

International law is intended to provide a framework for order, but it struggles in a world where nations interpret and adhere to its principles differently. Challenges include the varying interpretations and enforcement of laws, the use of force to ensure compliance, and the impact of political, cultural, social, and economic factors. The efficacy of international law is questioned, raising debate over whether it fosters peace and cooperation or merely contains violence and conflict.

How do the actions of powerful nations impact the effectiveness of international law?

The actions of powerful nations often undermine international law. The article uses the United States' second invasion of Iraq as an example. This exemplifies the diminishing role of international institutions when powerful nations take unilateral actions, highlighting the tensions between state sovereignty and the pursuit of global order. This demonstrates how the powerful nations actions may not align with the intended goals of international law and the pursuit of global peace.

What are the key concepts explored when examining global conflict through the lens of classical political theory?

When examining global conflict, the article focuses on the contrasting ideas of Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan and John Locke's The Second Treatise of Civil Government. It analyzes the implications of Hobbesian theory, which sees conflict as inherent, and Lockean theory, which focuses on individual rights and limited government. The study also considers the limitations of international law and its effectiveness in maintaining global order. Additional factors like sovereignty, the role of force, and cultural and religious impacts on compliance with international norms are also explored.

How can understanding classical political theories like those of Hobbes and Locke help us understand contemporary geopolitics?

By applying, comparing, and contrasting the ideas of Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan and John Locke's The Second Treatise of Civil Government, we gain fresh insights into the dynamics of contemporary geopolitics. Hobbesian theory helps to explain the anarchic nature of international relations, providing a framework for understanding the underlying causes of global disorder. Examining conflicts such as the war in Iraq and the Russia-Georgia conflict through these theories allows for a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by international law and the pursuit of global peace. These theories enable us to dissect the complex interactions within the modern world system and understand the enduring relevance of classical political thought in today's global landscape.