Vasile Pușcaș
Abstract. The article explores the evolution of the international system, emphasizing how global conflicts – especially the two World Wars – reshaped international relations. The author argues that the international system has existed since ancient times, but the Westphalian moment (1648) marked the beginning of its modern era. The war is portrayed as a human choice, driven by ambition, ideology, and the pursuit of power. In the 20th century, growing interdependencies made wars more contagious and widespread.
World War I revealed the limits of the balance of power, prompting Wilson’s proposal for a liberal international order through the Versailles System. However, the failure of states to uphold its principles led to World War II. Hitler exploited Western weaknesses, forming the Axis and signing strategic pacts with Italy and the USSR. Initially neutral, the US became the “arsenal of democracy,” playing a decisive role in defeating the Axis.
Allied conferences (Tehran, Yalta, Potsdam) shaped the postwar system, but compromises allowed Soviet expansion in Eastern Europe. The postwar world was dominated by bipolarity – US vs. USSR – with NATO and the Warsaw Pact reflecting this divide. Although Wilsonian ideals were invoked, realpolitik and power politics prevailed.
The author concludes that the international system must be constantly adapted to global realities. Negotiation should replace transformative wars, which are destructive. History shows that great powers often prefer global competition, risking future conflicts unless international institutions are reformed.
Keywords: World War II, Europe, United States of America, International System.