What does the term 'anarchy' primarily signify in the context of international relations?

Explanation

In international relations, anarchy describes the absence of a supreme authority or global government overseeing state interactions. This means there is no overarching power to enforce rules, compelling states to depend on their own means for security and survival. Theories like Realism and Neorealism highlight that this lack of central governance fosters a competitive and often conflictual international system.