The Level-of-Analysis Problem in International Relations

Abstract

In any area of scholarly inquiry, there are always several ways in which the phenomena under study may be sorted and arranged for purposes of systemic analysis. Whether in the physical or social sciences, the observer may choose to focus upon the parts or upon the whole, upon the components or upon the system. But whereas the pros and cons of the various possible levels of analysis have been debated exhaustively in many of the social sciences, the issue has scarcely been raised among the students of our emerging discipline. Such tranquillity may be seen by some as a reassuring indication that the issue is not germane to our field, and by others as evidence that it has already been resolved, but this writer perceives the quietude with a measure of concern. He is quite persuaded of its relevance and certain that it has yet to be resolved. It is the purpose of this paper to raise the issue, articulate the alternatives, and examine the theoretical implications and consequences of two of the more widely employed levels of analysis: the international system and the national sub-systems.

Keywords

Level of Analysis, International Relations, International System, National State, Foreign Policy

Citation

Singer, J. David, "The Level-of-Analysis Problem in International Relations", International Relations, Volume 3, Issue 11 (Fall 2006), pp. 3-24.

Affiliations

• J. David Singer,