Final answer:
In international relations, the root meaning of anarchy refers to a lack of a general sense of order in the international system, implying no global governing authority. The concept is tied to state sovereignty and the absence of an enforcement mechanism. In political theory, anarchism advocates for the absence of the state and promotes self-governance among rational individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term anarchy comes from the Greek word Anarkhia, meaning "without a leader or ruler." However, anarchy as a concept in international relations, represents a state of affairs where there is a lack of a general sense of order in the international system. There's no overarching global authority to enforce rules among states, which makes the international system anarchic.
Within this anarchic system, individual states are sovereign, which means they have ultimate authority within their territories. Sovereignty is a crucial aspect of a state's identity in the international system and contributes to the continuation of anarchy, as states prioritize their sovereignty and often resist intervention or control by others.
Anarchism, as a political theory, advocates for the absence of the state, arguing that free individuals can form societies based on self-governance without government intervention. This theory maintains that government often causes disorder and that people can live peacefully and autonomously.