Rethinking Power in International Relations: Zero-Sum Limitations and the Variable-Sum Paradigm in a Complex Global Order Introduction The concept of power has long been central to the study of international relations (IR), serving as a fundamental explanatory device in theories of conflict, alliance formation, and systemic change. Traditionally, especially within classical and neorealist traditions, power … Continue reading Can the concept of power in international relations be adequately captured through the lens of a zero-sum framework, or is it better understood as a variable-sum game? Critically assess whether zero-sum assumptions are sufficient to explain the contemporary interplay of conflict and cooperation among states in a complex global order.