International system

This consists of the nation-states and their interrelationships as nation-states. Various international subsystems exist and may interact. Various types of international system have been distinguished which include or exclude nation-states or nation-state systems according to their economic power, military capability, or involvement in some international organization. No distinction may be made between an international system and the global system. The United Nations may not be considered to be identical with the total international system or to operate above it.