International System, Transformation of Terrorism and Chaos Theory

Abstract

Although chaos theory first appeared in the field of mathematics, it is increasingly accepted in the field of social sciences every day. In the field of international relations, the predictions of chaos theory have recently been increasingly used to interpret the international system and relations. Especially, the complexity of the international system after the Cold War resulted in traditionalist theories not fully explaining the emergence and functioning of the new era. The increase in the number and variety of actors in the international system every day after the Cold War, the increase in the interdependence of these actors and the mutual interaction between the actors, the international system becoming a more open system has made the chaos theory contribute to the making of more accurate evaluations in explaining the new international system. Chaos theory has contributed to some understanding of the nonlinear, unpredictable nature of the new international system. Perhaps the most important phenomenon that was affected by the transformation of the international system after the Cold War and also affected this transformation is terrorism. Terrorism’s importance for the international system and the policies of states is increasing day by day. Terrorism is spreading every day and becoming a more serious threat, feeding the chaotic structure of the system. Similarly, the chaotic structure of the system also feeds terrorism. Based on these predictions, this study has tried to interpret the transformation of international terrorism with chaos theory and the structure of this international system.KeywordsChaos theoryInternational systemInternational terrorismNew terrorismInternational relations