The diadochi and International Relations: the hellenistic system by the fourth century B.C

Abstract

The mainstream approaches in the field of International Relations are characterized by their ahistoricism and their emphasis in the treaty of Westphalia, in 1648, as a founding date of the International System. Nevertheless, these approaches are steadily contested by the so called revisionists. Thus, in this article it is intended to analyse the hellenistic system by the end of the fourth century B.C, with the objective of identifying its characteristics and if it can, indeed, be portrayed as an International System. This being achieved, the hellenistic system was characterized by its bidimensionality and high interaction capacity, as well as by the presence of the logic of anarchy, the balance of power and the predominance of power politics. Lastly, it was concluded that investigations of International Systems of yore are capable of contributing to the field of International Relations, being thus required, in order to increase the scope of study, a review of the westphalian paradigm and the ahistoricism trend.

Keywords: Diadochi, International Relations, International System.