Of Systems, Boundaries, and Territoriality: An Inquiry into the Formation of the State System

TLDR

The author explores how boundaries function in both territorial and nonterritorial social organizations. The study aims to provide a fuller account of system characteristics by focusing on exchanges mediated by boundaries, surpassing traditional systems theory. The author examines how boundary location shifts, balance‑of‑power system traits, and the bundling or unbundling of territorial rights restrict or expand exchanges. Case studies show that imperial boundaries differ from those in the state system, that boundaries are the main means of conflict management in the international system, and that although overt devices such as spheres of influence and buffer states have faded, tacit rule‑based regimes remain important.

Abstract

The author explores the changing functions of boundaries in territorially and nonterritorially based social organizations. By focusing on the exchanges that boundaries mediate, a fuller account can be given of the systems characteristics in which the units interact than is afforded by traditional systems theory. Two case studies demonstrate that imperial boundaries differ significantly from those in the state system. Boundaries are shown to be the major means for conflict management in the international system. The author also investigates shifts in the location of the boundary, characteristics of balance-of-power systems, and the restriction and expansion of the exchanges that boundaries allow through the bundling or unbundling of territorial rights. Most of the latter devices that gave rise to spheres of influence, buffer states, suzerainties, and so forth have been overtaken by events, but functional regimes and spheres of influence based upon tacit rather than explicit rules remain important.