We have moved from the first part of our analysis which was concerned only with the malign effects of differentiation of power and false perception, to the second part in which we considered the integrative and cooperative behaviour of states. Now we assess the contemporary and future role of state authorities in world society. But we are still working on the basis of the traditional belief that world society is essentially a system of states. We will later move to a third part of our analysis which will lead us to consider how significant is state behaviour, and whether our image of world society comprising states is an accurate one. In the meantime, it is important to bear in mind the possibility that state behaviour alone neither offers adequate explanations or solutions of the problems of world society.

In terms of our analysis so far, the role of state authorities, or for that matter tribal rulers, is both defensive and integrative with respect to the wider environment in which the political unit exists. We are familiar with behaviour in the defensive role. History books are full of it: defence against adverse foreign influences, protection against foreign competition, and preservation of national cultures and institutions are the kinds of behaviour with which state authorities have historically been associated. Even internally the role of state authorities has been in the past to protect society against change, for example, to provide assistance to industries threatened by altered market conditions and new technologies, to preserve existing social and political institutions and traditions, and to protect the role of interest groups – cultural, religious or industrial – that have become a part of the existing structure of society.