n that state. Because laws of states could not govern those of other states, no world sovereign was defined, no world government for the international system.“Self-Help” can best describe the international system. The international system is an anarchy. No world authority has been established. Through sovereignty, each state has the right to govern its’ own nation. A government is established to protect the whole of the state through legislative, executive and the judicial system. But the protection stops there. Sovereignty does not transcend through boundaries of countries or states. The intentions and capabilities of each country, or state, to escalate into war become unknown. The uneasiness of the unknown develops a security dilemma. The security dilemma occurs when relationships between states become uncertain. Military intelligence, scholars of war, and government officials studies the goals and the plans of their enemies to ease the uncertainty of war. The means or ability of individual states to engage into war. The size and the location of the country help determine the amount of troops and the amount of raw materials available if war occurs. Spies are sent to threatening countries to determine technological advances, nuclear warfare, and the arms build up. Historians study economy of the state, and domestic repression, how other states treat their own people. Government officials listen to the leaders and how they see diplomacy. But the uncertainty that war could escalate is still lurking in the background. Through all of the spies, scholars and historians, no solid answer is found. Of course, the evaluation of the hard facts, military size and nuclear warfare proves a more reliable source, but it is still difficult to distinguish between offense and defense precautions. How does one determine if a country is building up arms is to defend themselves in case of attack or to rise as a stronger power? The knowle...
