Introduction to the Study of IR

Basic questions

• Why should we study international relations?

• How can we focus our study?
• What types of knowledge do we need to consider?
• What methods of acquiring knowledge are
available?
• Which conceptual framework(s) should we apply?
• Who are the principal actors in the world today?
• How can different “levels of analysis” help us to
understand international relations?
Spheres
of IR
International International
Politics Economics

International
Society
 Types of Knowledge
Descriptive ----------- vs.----------- Theoretical

History Political Science

Idiosyncratic Nomothetic
Case Study Formal/Statistical

Past Present
 Levels of Analysis (I)
Global Level

North-South gap Technological change

World regions Information revolution
European imperialism Global telecommunications
UN Worldwide scientific and
business communities
World environment  
 Levels of Analysis (II)
Interstate Level
Power IGOs

Balance of power Diplomacy

Alliance politics Summit meetings

Wars Bargaining

Treaties Reciprocity

Trade agreements  
 Levels of Analysis (III)
Domestic Level
Nationalism Political parties and
elections
Ethnic conflict Public opinion

Type of government Gender

Democracy Economic sectors and

industries
Dictatorship Military-industrial
complex
Domestic coalitions Foreign policy
bureaucracies
 Levels of Analysis (IV)
Individual Level
Great leaders Learning

Crazy leaders Assassinations,

accidents of history
Decision making in Citizens'participation
crises (voting, rebelling,
going to war, etc.)
Psychology of  
perception and
decision
 Multi-Level Explanation
Traffic Accident Analogy

Driver Experience vs.

Inexperienced
Car Safe vs. Unsafe

Intersection Well designed vs.

Poorly designed

Which factor “caused” the accident?