This document discusses different types of international systems throughout history: - Independent state systems consist of sovereign states that view ambitious rising powers as threats. - Hegemonic systems have one or more dominant states that set the rules; this can be unipolar (one state), bipolar (two states), or multipolar (three or more states). - Imperial systems have an empire asserting political supremacy over other societal units. - During the Feudal system from the 9th to 14th centuries, power was decentralized among states, trading associations, merchant bankers, and local barons, with the Catholic Church claiming global jurisdiction.