Levels Of Analysis

Levels of Analysis

What is a level of analysis?

(1) A level of the factors that affect international politics (2) Levels of causation (3) places to focus your attention in search of answers

IR

The Question is: what drives conflict and cooperation in international relations?

Why did the United States invade Iraq?

(1) because Bush hates Saddam who was taunting him? (2) because Bush was trying to make a democracy in Iraq? (3) because as the greatest power on the globe the U.S. has become world policeman?

1. The First Level/Image: The Individual

Human Beings are the most important actors in international relations

To understand IR, we must understand Human Nature

Old School Examples:

1. Christian Theology Greed and selfishness epitomize human relations, and, therefore, international relations

Adam and Eve expelled from paradise

2. Secular Humanism

Potential for good behavior in international relations if we can get everyone together to sing We are the World

Strengths/weaknesses of old school first image/level of analysis?

Strengths

Weaknesses

Modern conceptualizations of first image/level of analysis

Perhaps international relations can be explained by the peculiar nature of certain key leaders (not all humans) Psychological factors: Specific features in specific individuals (a) Kaiser Wilhelm was weak and ineffectual (b) Hitler was evil incarnate (c) Bush was trying to overcome a wimp image? (d) Saddam Hussein was a megalomaniac (e) Clinton liked to be liked

Psychological factors: Cognitive traps Motivated Biases (wishful thinking)

Examples:

Psychological factors: Cognitive traps Prejudice

“I don't see much future for the Americans... It's a

Khrushchev v. Dulles

decayed country. And they have their racial problem, and the problem of social inequalities... My feelings against Americanism are feelings of hatred and deep repugnance... Everything about the behavior of American society reveals that it's half Judaized, and the other half negrified. How can one expect a State like that to hold together?” ..A.H.

Psychological factors: Cognitive traps Groupthink peer pressure compels other members to go along with a decision and ignore outside evidence that it is a bad one

Strengths/weaknesses of modern first image/level of analysis?

Strengths

Weaknesses

2. The Second Image/Level: The State

1. The special nature of the state Economic Government (political system)

2. Domestic factors

3. The Third Image/Level: The International System

What is it? The arrangement of states Two aspects: Structure:

Process:

According to this level of analysis, the nature of the system affects how states behave.

Explanations for the United States’ Invasion of Iraq in 2003 by Level of Analysis • Individual Level – Saddam was evil leader who committed atrocities – Saddam was irrational, otherwise he would have capitulated to superior capability of the U.S. and British coalition – G.W. Bush and his advisers have targeted Saddam since the late 1990s

Explanations for the United States’ Invasion of Iraq in 2003 by Level of Analysis (cont.) • State Level – U.S. must protect its national security; Iraq’s weapons threaten U.S. security – Ousting Taliban from Afghanistan was first step in war on terrorism; Iraq is the second – U.S. must be assured of stable oil supply; Iraq has second largest oil reserves – U.S. must not permit terrorist states access to weapons – U.S. national interest to build progressive Arab regime

Explanations for the United States’ Invasion of Iraq in 2003 by Level of Analysis (cont.) • International Level – UN resolutions condemning Iraq had to be enforced to maintain UN legitimacy – Unipolar international system is uniquely capable of responding to threats to stability – There is international moral imperative for humanitarian intervention to oust evil leaders and install democratic regimes