Modern structure of international relations: a comparative analysis of polarity concepts

The article examines the main approaches and ideas to the analysis of the modern system of international relations. It is revealed that none of them is able to fully ensure the stability and sustainability of the world system. The factors of strengthening the political identity of local civilizations are presented. The idea of their confrontation is associated with the expansion of the West, which has acquired an unprecedented character. It is proven that the strategies of transition to various options for the development of international relations work in many fields, but geopolitical factors are the main resource that determines certain stabilizers of the world picture. It is shown that along with traditional subjects of world politics (nation-states), civilizational and cultural formations with an institutionalized identity, ideological attitudes and non-traditional actors, including transnational corporations, subnational and cross-cultural communities, whose activity is largely conditioned by historical and cultural traditions, religious systems and civilizational codes, are acquiring increasing importance.