For Realists (sometimes termed 'structural Realists' or 'Ncorealists' as opposed to the earlier 'classical Realists') the international system is defined by anarchy-the absentce of a central authority (Waltz). States are sovereign and thus autonomous of each other; no inherent structure or society can emerge or even exist to order relations between them. They are bound only by forcible-> coercion or their own -> consent.