www.ccsenet.org/jpl Journal of Politics and Law Vol. 3, No. 2; September 2010 ISSN 1913-9047 E-ISSN 1913-9055 36 In Omnia Paratus: Of War, Conflict, and International Law in the Contemporary World System Scott Nicholas Romaniuk (Note 1) School of Politics and International Relations, University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland Tel: 353-1-716-8303; Fax: 353-1-716-1171 E-mail: Scott.N.Romaniuk@gmail.com www.ucd.ie/SPIRe Joshua Kenneth Wasylciw (Note 2) Department of Political Science, University of Calgary 2500 University Drive, N. W., Calgary, Canada Tel: 403-797-2445; Fax: 780-685-2287 E-mail: Wasylciw@gmail.com Christopher Douglas Mott (Note 3) School of International Relations, University of St. Andrews College Gate, North Street, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9AJ, United Kingdom E-mail: Tarkhan.Mott@gmail.com Abstract According to Hobbesian theory, no cure for conflict or violence can ever exist. As a result, we live in a world of perpetual anarchy and conflict. However, the reasons for this anarchy have remained a contentious point of debate, particularly among scholars of political theory. Using the current war in Iraq and Russia's war with Georgia in 2008, this article examines the chaotic state of the contemporary world system. In doing so, it applies, compares, and contrasts the theories presented in Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan and John Locke’s The Second Treatise of Civil Government. Through this analysis, it is shown that Lockean theory is inadequate in explaining the anarchic state of the international system. Beyond the comparison of the two theorists addressed in this article, a brief exploration is also made of the inherent shortcomings of international law as a system that seeks to maintain order. Questions are raised regarding the efficacy and legality of the United States’ second invasion of Iraq, as well as considerations for the larger impact that the war ultimately makes on the paradigm of international law. Keywords: Anarchy, Authoritarian, Conflict, Imperialism, Individual, Iraq 1. Introduction All mankind [...] being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possession. —John Locke, Second Treatise of Government The state of nature is a state of war of all against all [...] (bellum omnium contra omnes) —Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan The contemporary world system is one in which conflict is ever ensuing and constantly increasing. In Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Chechnya, Georgia, and Israel-Palestine, to name a few of the many far-reaching war zones of today, war and conflict continuously rage. In each instance inter alios, violence claims the lives of countless innocents and combatants alike on a daily basis. While conflicts such as those mentioned above oftentimes appear seemingly out of nowhere, they are not, as many might suggest, inexplicable phenomena of our current and complex geopolitical constellation. Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan and John Locke's The Second Treatise of Civil Government offer order to anarchy found deeply ingrained in the contemporary world system. In spite of the varying points of view deemed intellectually profitable in this field of scholarly analysis, this article presents the argument that Hobbesian theory retains a greater capacity to provide clear, concise, and reasonable argumentation for the anarchic