The incidence of limited wars, in three forms – proxy wars, patron –client wars and client wars- has reached a peak in the second phase of this century. A major factor contributing to this increase has been the bipolycentric structure of the international system and the type of relationships- clientalism in world politics- that engulf it. One of the results this research reveals runs counter to the view that a unipolar international system tends to be more conductive to war and conflict. The first phase, 1945 – 63, seemed to be proportionately peaceful and stable, mainly in terms of limited wars, even though it was characterized by high tension in East – West confrontation and contestation .The data collected and analyzed in this research demonstrate that limited wars in general and proxy wars in particular are a function of the bipolycentric international structure that has prevailed since the late 1960`s .The research also demonstrates that the absence of general nuclear or conventional wars between the two superpowers and their direct secondary allies is a result of the distribution of power in the international bipolycentric structure , their mutual understanding of the danger  of general nuclear or conventional war, and their global hegemonic interests .