Abstract
The existing network literature has not been widely applied in international relations. Of primary interest to the international system is how network growth affects efficiency. Knowledge of efficient edges can guide how countries interact within a given network by maintaining only the most efficient relations. Two growth models were compared to determine their effects on efficiency. The hub model is the more efficient growth algorithm for empty networks because it allows all nodes to connect to each other through a short path. This model is not consistently efficient across all network densities, meaning the extant network will affect marginal efficiency. Countries in the international system, therefore, can generally gain the greatest marginal efficiency by connecting with hubs.