Four Conceptions of Authority in International Relations

Abstract There is increasing agreement that states and other political actors on the world stage sometimes achieve international authority. However, there less about nature functioning of authority relations. What determines whether an actor will be recognized as authoritative actor? And what are effects thereof? In this essay, we identify four distinct conceptions in study relations: contract , domination impression consecration . Consideration typology leads to two important insights. First, phenomenon has essentially experiential dimension. Subordinate actors’ emotional experience their response thus also a fundamental impact stability Second, emergence forms does not entail, at least necessarily, weakening sovereignty states, but can equally argued strengthen it.