University of the West Indies, Mona

Department of Government

GT12A Introduction to International Relations

Lecturer: Ms. Diana Thorburn

Lecture 7

Topics: Levels of Analysis

Objectives

By the end of this lecture, students should:

  1. Understand what it means and be able to differentiate between the different "levels of analysis" in IR
  2. Be capable of analysing international issues using the various levels of analysis
  3. Understand how the different IR theories utilize the different levels of analysis

Note from lecture 6

Alternative conceptualizations of realism, liberalism, Marxism

  • Realism – conservative – contented with the status quo as long as it continues to serve the purposes of those who control it
  • Liberalism – seeks evolution or progress in the international system
  • Marxism – revolutionary – sees justice as only available via change and change only via revolution

LEVELS OF ANALYSIS

  • A perspective of IR based on a set of similar actors or processes that suggest possible explanations
  • Lowest levels focus on micro actions and behaviours, mainly as conducted by individuals
  • Highest levels focus on macro processes, like global trends
  • Looking at the international system in this way allows for a more "scientific" analysis of activities and behaviours in international relations
  • Allows for disaggregation of causes, motives and interests in international relations
  • Using different levels of analysis one can gain different and more thorough understandings of international relations
  • The four levels are:

1.      The international system

2.      The nation-state

3.      Individual actor, usually the leader of a nation-state

4.      Global environment

  • E.g. Egypt’s making peace with Israel 1978

The global level

  • Notion that the international system is comprised not of states or international actors per se but of more than five billion individuals organized into different types of entities with different interests and motives
  • The world seen as a single entity affected by the activities and behaviours of individuals or groups of individuals that wouldn’t necessarily be considered "international actors"
  • This level often considered in environmental issues and population issues
  • Globalism considers this level important in IR

The international or inter-nation-state system

  • Concerned with the influence of the international system on outcomes
  • The nature of the system governs international behaviour
  • Behaviour of international actors can be explained in terms of the nature of the entire international system
  • International action and foreign policy behaviour considered a reaction to or product of the external international environment
  • Focuses on the interactions of nation-states in the international arena
  • Main level of analysis of realist approaches to IR
    • mainly concerned with polarity
    • balance of power determines the nature of the international system
    • Nation-state seen as a unitary actor
    • Does not consider internal politics or individuals
    • Personalities, domestic pressures or ideologies within states not a consideration
    • States will form coalitions and counter-coalitions to prevent other states and their coalitions from gaining power over them (e.g. France’s recent moves to preempt US unipolarity)
  • E.g. contemporary China, Russia, Mexico
  • Main level of analysis also for Marxist approaches
    • See international system as highly stratified with wealthier countries controlling poorer countries
    • The system prevents economically depressed states from achieving equity and justice
  • Liberal approaches to IR see the international system as an arena for interaction towards better inter-state relations—not as a determinant of international behaviour

The domestic/national level

  • States’ behaviour explained by the domestic conditions that affect policy making
  • International actions and foreign policy result from domestic political pressures, national ideologies, public opinion, economic or social needs
  • Countries differ in how national influences affect foreign policy, depending on the nature of the domestic political system and on the level of development and configuration of domestic interests
  • Ethnic conflicts can influence state behaviour
  • Economic sectors may also influence foreign policy
  • Marxist approaches to IR also consider this level of analysis in so far as economic sectors co-opted by the international economic hierarchy might influence foreign policy
  • E.g. U.S.—
    • Jewish lobby and Israel,
    • Military-industrial complex
      • Economic and political ties between the military establishment and the defense-aerospace industry
      • Some communities exist based on direct and indirect jobs in the defense industry or military installation
      • Members of congress who represent these areas might attempt to influence foreign policy in such a way that their constituents are assured continued livelihoods
  • Argentina in 1984 – Falklands/Malvinas War
  • Jamaica in the 1970s—domestic politics of nationalism

 

The individual level

  • Sees states’ actions in terms of the person or people who make the decisions and execute the policies
  • Hawks and doves
  • Focus on the ideologies, motivations, ideals, perceptions, values or idiosyncrasies of those who are in powerful positions

o        (idiosyncrasy = a mode of behaviour or way of thought peculiar to an individual; a distinctive characteristic of a thing – Concise Oxford Dictionary)

  • "Great" leaders influence the course of history
  • E.g. Hitler—WWII, the Holocaust
  • Reagan – the end of the Cold War
  • Lenin – Russian Revolution, Soviet Union, Cold War
  • Assassin of Archduke Ferdinand – WWI
  • Liberal IR approaches consider individuals’ actions in IR important and possibly having significant effects on IR (e.g. a charismatic negotiator)
  • Realist and Marxist approaches do not consider individual level of analysis as important
    • They see individuals as primarily constrained by the international system and the state

 

 

LEVELS OF ANALYSIS

Examples of influences affecting the course of international relations according to levels of analysis

GLOBAL LEVEL

North-South gap

Technological change

World regions

Information revolution

European imperialism

Global telecommunications

United Nations

Worldwide scientific and business communities

World environment

 

STATE LEVEL

Power

Inter-governmental organizations

Balance of power

Diplomacy

Alliance formation and dissolution

Summit meetings

Wars

Bargaining and negotiation

Treaties

Reciprocity

Trade agreements

 

DOMESTIC/NATIONAL LEVEL

Nationalism

Political parties and elections

Ethnic conflict

Public opinion

Type of government

Gender

Democracy

Dictatorship

Economic sectors and industries

Military-industrial complex

Domestic coalitions

Foreign policy bureaucracies

INDIVIDUAL LEVEL

Great leaders

Learning

Crazy leaders

Assassinations, accidents of history

Decision-making in crises

Citizens’ participation (voting, rebelling, polls, enlisting)

Psychology of perception and decision

 

Table adapted from International Relations, 4th edition, Joshua Goldstein, New York: Longman, 2001.